Vol. 491 No. 7
216 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that schools in the breaking the cycle scheme will not lose teachers until the final enrolments for the 1998-99 academic year are settled so that the practice of maintaining teachers on the basis of projected enrolments is continued in these priority areas as in the case of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 1. [13269/98]
The staffing of primary schools is determined by the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year. An agreement to this effect was made in the 1980s and this agreement has been adhered to since then.
Since the introduction of the breaking the cycle pilot project, schools selected for inclusion in the urban dimension of the scheme have been allocated extra staffing resources to enable them to operate within the maximum class size of 15 pupils in all junior classes. In line with the agreement referred to above, these staffing allocations are also determined by reference to the schools enrolment at the 30 September of the previous school year.
However, there is an arrangement in place whereby schools may contact my Department if their projected enrolments are to increase for the forthcoming school year. In such situations, my Department will re-examine the school's staffing needs based on the projected enrolments.
In the particular case to which the Deputy refers, I have arranged for a member of my Department's inspectorate to visit the school as soon as possible to assess the school's overall needs.
