Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 6

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

282 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to include additional teachers as provided under the Breaking the Cycle, privilege assistance and disadvantaged area teachers schemes in the figures for compiling the eligibility to qualify for the administrative principal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6645/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that from the beginning of the 2000-01 school year the number of mainstream class assistants required for the appointment of an administrative principal in a primary school will be reduced from eight to seven.

In addition, in the context of the implementation of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness I propose to deliver the most comprehensive and concentrated package of supports ever to primary school principals. A key feature of the pack age will be the release from full-time teaching duties of principals of schools with six mainstream class assistants. It is proposed to introduce this provision from the beginning of the 2001-02 school year.

My Department is also examining the position of principals who would not qualify under the improvements already mentioned but who have significant numbers of teachers in their schools. It is intended to discuss these cases with the primary school management organisations and the INTO in the context of additional teaching posts coming available.