Michael Ring
Question:299 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a second teacher will be appointed to a primary school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [2655/98]
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.
Currently, there are 193 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 for allocation to these schools. I am examining a range of options with a view to identifying the most appropriate way to fulfil the Government's commitments to one teacher schools.
Michael Ring
Question:300 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a principal will be appointed to a primary school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [2656/98]
The appointment of a principal teacher to the school to which the Deputy refers is a matter for the managerial authorities of the school.