Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Principal Teachers.

Nora Owen

Question:

782 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the meetings, if any, he has had in recent months with the principals of small national schools who are finding it impossible to continue operating without having the services of caretaker and a secretary; the way in which he will accommodate school principals who have to teach and manage schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1880/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

I myself met with the INTO to discuss the recommendations of the report of the working group which I established to examine the rights, roles, duties and responsibilities of principals in primary schools.

Further discussions have taken place between officials of my Department and the INTO to examine the issues involved. As a consequence of these discussions proposals made by my Department regarding the appointment of additional administrative principals and the provision of substitute cover to enable teaching principals in small national schools be released from their duties for specified periods annually are currently under consideration.

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 recognition of the need to improve the funding of secretaries and caretakers I am pleased to inform the Deputy that 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.