Michael P. Kitt
Question:265 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Science when an assistant teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Galway. [2397/98]
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 allocation 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.
Since there are no teaching posts available 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 of one teacher schools.