Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Bernard Allen

Question:

1127 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make available one or more teachers for St. Vincent's convent school, St. Mary's Road, Cork, which is designated as disadvantaged in view of the fact that it has lost two teachers in the past twelve months and has a pupil/teacher ratio of 30 pupils or more, with three classes having a teacher/pupil ratio of 35 to 1. [20659/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

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 my Department and the education partners.

The enrolment at St. Vincent's Convent primary school has decreased from 695 pupils on 30 September 1998 to 644 pupils on 30 September 1999. This latter enrolment warrants the staffing of a principal and 22 mainstream class teachers for the 2000-01 school year, a reduction in two mainstream class teachers on the previous year's staffing.

An enrolment of 690 pupils on 30 September 1999 was required in order to retain the 24th mainstream class teacher while an enrolment of 660 pupils was needed to retain the 23rd mainstream class teacher for the 2000-01 school year. Therefore, I regret that I cannot restore these posts to the school for the 2000-01 school year.

In addition to the above staffing, the school has a learning support teacher, a home-school liaison teacher and two concessionary posts by virtue of its disadvantaged status.

Question No. 1128 taken with Question No. 975.