Michael Noonan
Question:567 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction an additional teacher at Caherline national school, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9823/99]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
The staffing of primary schools is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between this Department and the education partners.
The current staffing of Caherline National School is a principal and three mainstream class teachers, based on an enrolment of 87 on 30 September 1997. The enrolment at 30 September 1998, on which the staffing for the 1999-2000 school year is based, was 82 pupils. This falls short of the minimum of 85 pupils necessary to retain the third teaching post in the school for the coming school year.
In the circumstances, I regret that even though there is a significant improvement in the primary school staffing schedule for the coming year, there is no basis whereby the school can retain its existing staffing levels for the 1999-2000 school year.