Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - School Staffing.

Mr. Ring

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me raise this matter on the Adjournment. It is a very important issue concerning Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport, County Mayo. The school has been in operation for the past six years. It began with six student and now has 138. Already 27 applications have been submitted for September 2002.

At the start of the school year in September, sufficient students were attending to fulfil the teacher quota. Unfortunately, two families have now left the area which has reduced the numbers and means that a teacher will have to be let go.

It would be grossly unfair if this teacher has to leave the school tomorrow. The teacher takes pupils in second class and if she leaves, the class will be divided into other classes and the children will feel they are starting the school year again.

As the Minister is aware, the first term from September to the Halloween break is the longest. The children of this class, aged eight and nine, are at a vulnerable age and have established a rapport with the teacher and each other. They will now have to be mixed with another set of children and another teacher. This has greatly upset the parents who have threatened to withdraw the children from the school unless the problem is solved.

The parents cannot understand how this could happen while the country enjoys the Celtic tiger economy. At the commencement of the next school year, the numbers will be sufficient to have the teacher quota. The teacher in question is newly qualified and wants to complete a first year diploma, which will now have to be suspended.

The school has grown by leaps and bounds and has made a tremendous contribution to the community of Westport. To take away the teacher at this crucial stage would be morally wrong. I call on the Minister to intervene personally to retain the teacher and not to allow this happen to the children.

The Gaelscoil, by its nature, is a specialised school and the children deserve to be given every chance, especially as a teacher will be required again in September 2002. I hope the Minister will deliver positive news on this matter. The teachers and parents of the excellent school are all very committed and have an excellent principal. They have already had to move on three occasions in relation to pre-fabricated buildings. If the job could only be made temporary until next September, it would resolve the problem as the school will have sufficient numbers next year. It would be very wrong to have little children moved from one class and divided among other classes. We talk a lot about children's constitutional rights, etc. and it would not cost a fortune to retain the teacher in the school until next year.

I know there are departmental rules and regulations, but it was not the school's fault or the fault of the parents who left the area because they had to go elsewhere. As I said, it is a good school which makes a vital contribution to the educational needs of the Westport area. I ask the Minister to ensure the teacher in question will not have to look for another job next week.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the Department of Education and Science's position in regard to the staffing of Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport, County Mayo.

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 actual 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 of the school on 30 September 2000 was 118 pupils, which warrants a staffing for the 2001-02 school year of a principal and four mainstream class teachers. In addition, the school has a resource teacher and the services of a learning support teacher.

The only criteria by which a school may possibly gain an additional teaching post, apart from numbers as determined by reference to the enrolment on 30 September for the previous year, is by way of "developing school" status.

The "developing school" criteria for the 2001-02 school year are outlined in circular letter 12/2001, a copy of which the board of management of the school received earlier this year. To satisfy the criteria as outlined in the circular letter, the enrolment of Gaelscoil na Cruaiche on 30 September 2001 would have to have increased by at least 25 pupils over the number enrolled on 30 September 2000.

Accordingly, the school would require an enrolment of at least 143 pupils on 30 September 2001. The school in question appointed an additional teacher under developing school grounds without achieving the enrolment of 143 pupils and without making an application to the Department of Education and Science.

As the enrolment on the 30 September 2001 according to data received from the board was only 138 pupils, an additional mainstream class teacher was not sanctioned for the 2001-02 school year. If the enrolment of 138 pupils on 30 September 2001 is valid, the board of management, on the basis of the existing staffing schedule, would be entitled to appoint an additional mainstream class teacher from 1 September 2002.

Since this issue has also been drawn to the Minister's attention by other public representatives, he will arrange for a Department inspector to visit the school to report to him directly on its staffing needs and organisation.

Mr. Ring

Does that mean the teacher can stay on until this is sorted?