Vol. 510 No. 6
400 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application from St. Fergal's boys' national school, Finglas, Dublin 11, for an additional teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23543/99]
The board of management of the school referred to submitted an application for the appointment of an additional teacher in the current school year.
The staffing warranted for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The enrolment of St. Fergal's Boys NS on 30 September 1998 was 163 pupils which warrants a staffing of principal plus five assistant teachers for the 1999-2000 school year.
The application for the additional teacher was recently examined by my Department. The school is not in breach of the maximum class size guidelines for the current school year in accordance with the terms of Circular 5/99.
I regret therefore that the appointment of an additional teacher cannot be sanctioned in the current school year.
