Vol. 500 No. 2
68 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to take into account projected enrolment figures when deciding on the staffing levels of a school and, in particular, where a school is to lose a teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3686/99]
Projected enrolment figures are frequently taken into account when determining staffing levels applicable to primary schools in any one school year. In general, as the Deputy is aware, the staffing of primary schools for a particular year is determined by the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. Historically, however, a school which is due to lose a post may seek the retention of that post if the school can demonstrate that its projected enrolment cannot be managed within the recommended maximum class size guidelines. Likewise, a school which projects substantial enrolment growth in any one school year relative to another may also seek the retention of a post.
Quite apart from the situation where a school is due to lose a teaching post, schools which project substantial enrolment growth or which project enrolments which are incapable of being managed within maximum class size guidelines can also seek the immediate allocation of additional teaching resources.
