Vol. 498 No. 5
216 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction, at least on a temporary basis, a fifth teaching position at St. Brigid's national school, Killoughter, Redhills, County Cavan, in view of the present enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28096/98]
As explained in my reply to the Deputy's parliamentary question of 15 October 1998 in this matter, the enrolment of 125 pupils at St. Brigid's national school in September 1998 does not warrant the sanction of an additional teacher for the 1998-9 school year. This enrolment is capable of being managed in compliance with maximum class size guidelines among the school's current staffing of a principal and three teachers.
217 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction, at least on a temporary basis, a third teaching position at Castletara national school, County Cavan, in view of the present enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28097/98]
As the Deputy is aware, the staffing of a national school for a particular year is determined by the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The enrolment at Castletara national school on 30 September, 1997 was 53 pupils. This enrolment warrants a staffing of a principal and one teacher for the 1998-9 school year. While the enrolment of the school has increased to 59 pupils, in September 1998, there is no basis for the appointment of an additional teacher to the school at this stage.
