Michael D. Higgins
Question:87 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science when a second teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21704/97]
Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.
In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the current school year with the Irish National Teachers Organisation. These agreed arrangements were based on the allocations of all surplus posts available for redistribution from the demographic dividend.
The Deputy will be aware that An Action Programme for the Millennium contains a commitment to give primary education a clear priority in allocating resources. In this context, the programme specifically states that one teacher schools with ten or more pupils will receive a second teacher.
Currently, there are 103 one teacher primary schools with ten or more pupils in the country which includes the school to which the Deputy refers.
Since there are no teaching posts available to me for allocation to these schools, I am currently examining a range of options with a view to identifying the most appropriate way to fulfil the Government's commitments to one teacher schools.