Vol. 540 No. 3
329 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 446 of 26 June 2001 he has personally read the content of this question which detailed the tragic circumstances of the case; if he will now give an undertaking to review the position with some compassion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20505/01]
The enrolment at the school in question of 358 pupils on 30 September 2000, a reduction of 20 pupils on the previous year's enrolment, will entitle the school to a staffing of a principal and 12 mainstream class teachers for the 2001-02 school year.
In addition, the school has a learning support teacher and a shared resource teacher for Travellers. The case referred to by the Deputy, was reviewed in light of the tragic circumstances outlined in correspondence received from the board of management. Unfortunately, I regret that it is not possible to allow the retention of the 13th mainstream class post as the valid enrolment already included the two pupils referred to in the correspondence.
330 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm in writing to the principal and board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Offaly that their schedule of grant aided teaching posts between now and the proposed amalgamation will remain as it was for 2000-01; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20651/01]
The teacher allocation for second level schools for a particular school year consists of the allocation warranted by the enrolment at the end of the preceding September on the basis of the current pupil-teacher ratio together with approved ex-quota and concessionary posts. These regulations regarding staffing allocations are of general application to all second level schools.
In view of the early stage which the amalgamation proposal is at, I am not in a position to give the type of confirmation sought by the Deputy in relation to the staffing allocation for the school in question. The school authority has been assured that no permanent teacher employed in the school will be compulsorily redeployed before the amalgamation takes place. In addition, my Department has been, and will continue to be, prepared to consider an application from the school authority for concessionary teachers to deal with particular curricular difficulties which may arise in the school.
