Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Placement.

Seán Haughey

Question:

191 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the huge increase in primary school children who wish to attend local schools in the Beaumont area, Dublin 9; if he has satisfied himself that St. Fiachra's junior school can deal with this; if class sizes will increase as a result; if children will have to wait an extra year to be admitted to junior infants as a result; the role of the Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10451/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

I am aware that the enrolment in St. Fiachra's junior national school has increased over the past few years. However, the school has not applied to my Department for additional classroom accommodation and has indicated that it has sufficient provision to meet the present demand for places.

I have significantly improved the staffing schedule, which determines staffing in national schools, for the 1999-2000 school year. As a result of this all schools will operate to a maximum class average of 30 pupils.

Generally enrolment policy is a matter for the board of management of a national school. St. Fiachra's national school has indicated that, as part of its enrolment policy, it enrols only pupils into junior infants each September who are four years of age by June of that year. The reason given is related to the immaturity of very young pupils rather than to accommodation problems.