Michael D. Higgins
Question:390 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the immediate steps, if any, he will take to ensure that St. Catherine's school, Rush, County Dublin, retains its extra teacher. [24426/99]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
As the Deputy may be aware 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 authorised staffing of St. Catherine's national school for the 1999-2000 school year is a principal and five mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 159 pupils on 30 September 1998.
The enrolment at the school on 30 September 1999 has decreased to 142 pupils. As yet, no decision has been made regarding the staffing schedule in primary schools for the 2000-01 school year. However, as soon as a decision is made a staffing circular will issue to all schools.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:391 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the immediate steps, if any, he will take to ensure that St. Catherine's school, Rush, County Dublin, receives a dedicated remedial teacher. [24427/99]
The Deputy will be aware that I announced a major new initiative of the remedial teaching service to first and second level schools, and my priority was to ensure that all schools, who were without a remedial teaching service, would have access to one with effect from September 1999. This has resulted in a remedial teaching service now being available to all schools with a pupil teacher ratio of 10:1 or above.
The school, to whom the Deputy refers, St. Catherine's school, Rush, County Dublin, has a shared remedial teacher post. This post is shared with three other schools and is based in St. Catherine's school, Rush.
I can assure the Deputy that St Catherine's school, Rush, will be fully considered in the event of additional resources becoming available to improve existing services.