Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - One Teacher Schools.

Enda Kenny

Question:

999 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of one teacher schools in operation in County Mayo; the names and allocation in this regard; the number of pupils on rolls at 1 September 1998; and if he will make a statement on the way in which he proposes to take action to implement Government promises that would affect these schools. [1814/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

There are currently ten one teacher schools in County Mayo. The details requested by the Deputy in regard to these schools is set out in the table hereunder.

Name and address of School	Roll No.	Enrolment at 30/9/98
SN Naomh Columba, Inishturk, Co. Mayo	13174M	14
Kinaffe NS, Co. Mayo	16173U	14
Valley NS, Co. Mayo	16379R	13
SN Mhuire, Westport, Co. Mayo	17442D	11
SN An Doirin, Gob a Choirce, Co. Mayo	17596H	12
SN Srath na Macrac, Ballycroy, Co. Mayo	18588N	12
St. Michael's NS, Church Rd., Ardnaree, Ballina	12792F	6
Ratheskin NS, Killala, Co. Mayo	13866N	7
SN Doire, Tuar Mhic Eadaigh, Co. Mayo	16852R	9
SN Naomh Padraig, Carromore, Ballina	16956G	3

An Action Programme for the Millennium contains a commitment that all one teacher schools with an enrolment of ten or more pupils will be granted a second teacher. With effect from September 1998, I reduced the appointment figure for a second teaching post from 25 pupils to 18 pupils. This resulted in 25 schools gaining a second teacher for the current school year. In addition, the minimum enrolment needed to retain a second teaching post has been reduced from 23 to 18, with the result that 28 schools are continuing to operate as two teacher units in the current school year. Furthermore, I allowed a further 14 schools whose enrolments had fallen below 18 pupils to retain their second teacher for the current year. Therefore, for the 1998-99 school year, 67 schools are operating as two teacher units as a direct consequence of my supportive initiatives for one teacher schools. In the course of the current school year, I will continue to examine a range of options with a view to identifying the most appropriate way to fulfil the Government's commitments to the remaining one teacher schools as outlined in An Action Programme for the Millennium.