Vol. 512 No. 6
394 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the pressure principals of national schools, particularly the smaller schools, are being subjected to in view of the extra work load of responsibilities they have to cope with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27013/99]
The report of the working group which I set up last year to examine the rights, roles, duties and responsibilities of principals in primary schools was recently presented to me.
I myself recently met with the INTO to discuss the recommendations of the report and further discussions are continuing between officials of my Department and the INTO to examine the issues involved.
There is of course already a range of supports in place to assist principals in carrying out their functions. The middle management structures in schools which have been developed in recent years enable the principal to delegate a number of functions to other teachers. In particular, many schools have access to secretarial and caretaking services, and I have recently announced substantial improvements in the level of assistance in these areas.
In recognition of the need to improve the funding of secretaries and caretakers I have recently announced that an additional £2.7 million has been made available to extend support to another 650 schools with a total enrolment of 90,000 children in the coming year. The Deputy will also be aware that I have secured an additional £9 million in the recent budget which will enable me to extend and improve the supports available to all primary schools. Details of the implementation of this will be worked out in the near future following consultations and will, when taken together with the earlier move, make a major contribution to assisting schools and principals.
