Vol. 484 No. 4
129 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide an extra teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and the reason the school has not been awarded disadvantaged status. [22479/97]
The staffing of a national school for any particular year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year.
The enrolments at the school referred to by the Deputy on 30 September 1996 was 140 pupils, which warrants a staffing for the 1997-98 school year of a principal and four assistant techers. I regret there is no basis at present for the provision of an additional teacher. I should mention that the school has the services of a remedial teacher for the 1997-98 school year.
This school is one of a number of applicants for disadvantaged status which have been lodged with my Department. The disadvantaged areas scheme was last expanded in 1994 when an additional 54 schools were included for capitation purposes only.
