Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

262 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will allow the retention of the present staffing levels at Archbishop McQuaid junior school, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, County Dublin (details supplied) which is to lose two teachers in September 1999 in view of the fact that this is a developing area and one of the assistants is the teacher of the special class for mildly mentally handicapped children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13515/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

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 Archbishop McQuaid junior school is a principal and eight mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 229 on 30 September 1997. Additionally, the school has the services of a concessionary teacher due to the schools disadvantaged status, two remedial teachers, two special additional assistants and a shared home school liaison teacher.

The enrolment on 30 September 1998 (on which the staffing for the 1999-2000 school year is based) was 204. A minimum enrolment of 210 pupils was required in order to retain the post of the seventh mainstream teacher. This is in spite of the fact that the retention figure has been reduced for the coming year.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

263 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will continue to sanction the retention of a concessionary teacher and a full-time resource teacher for the special class at Dominican Convent primary school, Convent Road, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The school in question is included in the disadvantaged areas scheme for funding purposes only and does not therefore have a disadvantaged concessionary teaching post.

I understand that an additional mainstream class teacher was allocated to the school last year under maximum class size guidelines. The school will retain this teacher for the 1999-2000 school year.

Resource teacher posts are only allocated to schools to cater for special needs children who are attending ordinary classes on a fully integrated basis. Children attending special classes enjoy a reduced pupil teacher ratio which is designed to reflect the needs of the children involved. In the case in question, the special class caters for children with a mild general learning disability and operates at a maximum pupil teacher ratio of 13:1. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, from September next 1999, the ratio in question will be reduced to 11:1. There are currently ten pupils in the special class in question. This class will continue.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

264 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will allow the retention of the present staffing levels at St. Brigid's boys national school, Foxrock, Dublin 18, which is to lose a teacher in September 1999 in view of the fact they are only one pupil short of the quota and the loss of a teacher will result in the closure of the computer room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13517/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

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 St. Brigid's boys national school is a principal and 17 mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 509 on 30 September 1997. Additionally, the school has the services of a full time remedial teacher and a shared remedial teacher.

The enrolment on 30 September 1998 – on which the staffing for the 1999-2000 school year is based – was 479. I acknowledge that this is just below the enrolment required to retain the 17th teacher in this school. However, I am sure the Deputy will agree that the staffing schedule must be adhered to, and I regret that there is no basis whereby I can allow the retention of the present staffing levels in this school for the coming year.