Vol. 539 No. 1
438 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason St. Joseph's primary school, East Wall, Dublin 3, is losing a teacher; if he will agree to allow it retain its present complement of teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18734/01]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The enrolment at the school in question has decreased from 234 pupils on 30 September 1999 to 218 pupils on 30 September 2000. This latter enrolment will entitle the school to a staffing of a principal and eight mainstream class teachers for the 2001-02 school year. An enrolment of 240 pupils on 30 September 2000, was required for the retention of the post of the ninth mainstream class teacher. In addition, the school has the services of a learning support teacher, a concessionary teacher due to the school's disadvantaged status and a shared home school liaison teacher.
The only deviation from the agreed schedule to which I referred is in the case of schools that are experiencing a large increase in enrolments. In such cases an additional staffing post may be sanctioned by my Department if the schools meets the defined criteria as outlined in circular 12/01 which issued to schools recently.
