Vol. 489 No. 3
269 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has for the appointment of a second teacher at Leam national school, Recess, County Galway; and, if so, when this second teacher will be appointed. [7896/98]
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.
There are currently 103 one teacher primary schools, including Leam national school, with ten or more pupils in the country. I am currently examining a range of options with a view to identifying the most appropriate way to fulfil the Government's commitment to one teacher schools.
