Vol. 523 No. 1
1025 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level schools in County Kerry that have the services of a resource teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19901/00]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that seven second level schools in County Kerry have been allocated resource posts.
1026 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a resource teacher for Fossa National School, Killarney, County Kerry. [19902/00]
My Department has recently sanctioned an allocation of part-time resource teaching support to the school in question to assist in the education of three pupils with special educational needs attending the school. My Department has also sanctioned part-time special needs assistant support for the school to cater for the needs of one of those pupils.
1027 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if an extra teacher will be allocated to a national school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in view of the fact that a second and third class have been combined resulting in a class size of 32; the reasons for this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19903/00]
As the Deputy is aware the staffing of primary schools is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between this Department and the education partners.
The enrolment at the school in question decreased from 211 pupils on 30 September 1998 to 195 pupils on the 30 September 1999. This latter enrolment warrants the staffing of a principal and six mainstream classroom for the 2000-01 school year. The school also has the services of two posts because of the school's disadvantaged status, two learning support teachers and a home-school liaison teacher. An enrolment of 205 pupils on 30 September 1999 was required in order to retain the seventh mainstream class teacher for the 2000-01 school year.
The organisation of classes within a school is a matter for the school authorities.
An official from my Department visited the school recently and reported on the staffing position. I regret that the inspector reported no extenuating circumstances in the school beyond those catered for by the five extra teachers outlined above, which would warrant the appointment of an additional mainstream class teacher for the 2000-2001 school year.
