Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Nora Owen

Question:

171 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has sanctioned the retention of an assistant teacher from September 1999 at Naul national school, The Naul, County Dublin in view of the fact that there are three classes to one teacher and the time allocated to most subjects has to be divided in three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14042/99]

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 Naul national school is a principal and three mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 87 as at 30 September 1997. The enrolment as at 30 September 1998, on which the staffing for the 1999-2000 school year is based, was 83. Despite the fact that I have improved the staffing schedule for next year, this enrolment does not meet the retention requirement for the third mainstream teacher.

In the circumstances, I regret that there is no basis whereby I can sanction the retention of the third mainstream teaching post in this school.