Rory O'Hanlon
Question:129 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will allow the retention of a teacher at a national school (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17833/00]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
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 actual 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 particular school is a principal and ten mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 294 as at 30 September 1998. The school also has the services of a remedial teacher, a resource teacher for travellers, a teacher for the mildly mentally handicapped, and a speech and language teacher.
The enrolment as at 30 September 1999, on which the staffing for the 2000-01 school year is based, was 268. 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, I cannot authorise the retention of the post.