Michael Creed
Question:141 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will arrange one to one assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [27465/99]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers.
My Department has received an application for resource teacher and child care support for the child in question. This application is currently being examined by my Department's inspectorate. My Department will be in touch with the child's school in the near future regarding this matter.
Michael Ring
Question:142 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will relieve principal teachers of full-time teaching duties for set periods each month to enable them to undertake their non-teaching and administrative duties; and the substitute cover which will be provided in these set times. [27502/99]
Michael Ring
Question:144 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will increase the number of full-time administrative principals in the education system. [27504/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 144 together.
The issues raised by the Deputies regarding principals in primary schools were discussed when I met with the INTO recently.
Officials of my Department held further discussions with the INTO to examine the issues and the cost implications of implementing proposals in the report of the working group established to examine the rights roles, duties and responsibilities of principals.
It is planned to have further discussions in the near future with the representatives of the managerial authorities of primary schools and the INTO.
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.