Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Nora Owen

Question:

232 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the information supplied with regard to the circumstances of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin, he will grant the retention of the tenth assistant post on a concession basis for one year from 1 September 2000 to June 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15886/00]

(Dr. Woods): The staffing of a primary school for a particular year is determined by reference to the number of pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September of the previous year. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule. The staffing schedule is determined for a particular year following discussions with the managerial authorities and the INTO.

The current staffing of this school is a principal and ten mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 274 as at 30 September 1998. The school also has the services of a remedial teacher.

The enrolment as at 30 September 1999 – on which the staffing for the 2000-01 school year is based – was 264. Under the staffing schedule, this enrolment entitles the school to nine mainstream class teachers. The enrolment requirement for the retention of the tenth teacher is 270. Unfortunately, despite the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, I cannot authorise the retention of the post.

If the board of management of the school is confident that the enrolment of the school on 30 September 2000 will be in excess of 289 pupils they may apply to the primary payments branch of my Department for the allocation of a teaching post under developing school criteria.

The details regarding the granting of a teaching post under the developing school status are outlined in circular 11/00 which my Department issued to the board of management of the school recently.

Sean Fleming

Question:

233 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of untrained temporary teachers currently being paid by his Department whose total years of service are in the following ranges: less than five years; five to ten years; ten to 15 years; 15-20 years; 20-30 years; and over 30 years. [15887/00]

Sean Fleming

Question:

234 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of untrained substitute teachers currently being paid by his Department whose total years of service are in the following ranges: less than five years; five to ten years; ten to 15 years; 15-20 years; 20-30 years; and over 30 years. [15888/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to him.

Sean Fleming

Question:

235 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Science the counties from which his Department has had correspondence regarding the question of untrained substitute teachers and untrained temporary teachers. [15889/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

My Department has received representations from school managerial authorities on an ongoing basis regarding the difficulties in obtaining the services of fully qualified temporary and substitute teachers.

I am aware that my Department has received a number of representations, from County Offaly in particular, regarding the provision of short training courses for substitute and temporary teachers who are not qualified.