Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 6

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Bernard Allen

Question:

312 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reconsider a decision made to remove a teacher from the panel at Sunday's Well Girls National School, Strawberry Hill, Cork, in view of the fact that it received disadvantaged status in December 1996 for funding purposes only and the boys' school has had full disadvantaged status for a considerable time and has received concessionary teachers and a resource teacher; if he will now review the situation in view of the fact that the girls attending this school come from approximately the same families that the boys in the adjoining school come from; and if he will grant them a concessionary teacher as well as full disadvantaged status for staffing purposes. [13040/98]

Bernard Allen

Question:

313 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will grant a resource teacher to Sunday's Well girls national school, Strawberry Hill, Cork, which is a disadvantaged school and which requires a concessionary teacher and full disadvantaged status for staffing purposes. [13041/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.

The staffing of a national school in any particular year is determined by the enrolment of the school on 30 September in the previous school year.

The enrolment at Sunday's Well girls national school on 30 September 1998 was 207. This entitles the school to a principal and six teachers for the 1989-99 school year. An enrolment of 215 pupils would have been required to retain the seventh teacher. In the circumstances, I regret that the school will lose the services of the seventh teacher at the end of the current school year.

I am aware that the school in question has made application to my Department for a resource teacher post. My Department is currently considering a number of applications for such posts. I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the school in question will be considered in the context of any additional resource teacher allocations which may be undertaken for the forthcoming school year.

I am also aware of the case made by the school for the allocation of a concessionary teacher post to address problems of educational disadvantage in the school. It is my understanding that both the boys and girls schools in question are included in the disadvantaged areas scheme for funding purposes only and that neither school is currently in receipt of a concessionary teacher post.

I am currently reviewing my Department's overall response to the problems of educational disadvantage. My objective is to ensure that all available resources are properly targeted so that children who are educationally disadvantaged receive the support necessary to enable them to maximise their potential in the education system.

I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the schools in question will be fully considered in the context of any additional resource allocations which may be undertaken to address educational disadvantage.