Vol. 504 No. 7
335 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the problems for the Christian Brothers, Sancta Maria primary school, Synge Street, Dublin 8, if it loses two teachers on 31 August 1999; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the school falls into the category of disadvan taged and is dealing with many students requiring special attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12571/99]
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 Sancta Maria CBS is a principal and eight mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 245 as at 30 September 1997. The school has also been allocated a disadvantaged concessionary teacher, a full-time home-school-community liaison co-ordinator and a remedial teacher. The enrolment as at 30 September 1998, on which the staffing for the 1999-2000 school year is based, was 208 and, unfortunately, does not meet the retention requirements for the seventh and eighth mainstream class teachers. Therefore, I regret that there is no basis whereby the school can retain these posts in the next school year.
I should point out that this school also has two additional teachers in special classes, which are sanctioned on a temporary basis, for pupils with a mild general learning disability.
Also, I am aware that the school has applied for a support teacher, formerly known as teacher counsellor. The operation of the support teacher project is being closely monitored by my Department's inspectorate. I have received an evaluation report on the project which I am currently considering. The question of any further expansion of this pilot project will be addressed following consideration of the evaluation report. I can assure the Deputy that the needs of Sancta Maria CBS will be fully considered in the context of any expansion of the support teacher project.
