Vol. 545 No. 3
169 Mr. T. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the appointment of a concessionary teacher will be sanctioned for Our Lady of Mercy primary school, Cahir, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30341/01]
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. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule, which is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The current staffing of Our Lady of Mercy primary school is a principal and nine mainstream class teachers, which is based on an enrolment of 269 pupils on 30 September 2000. This is one mainstream class teacher less than the school had for the 2000-01 school year. The school also has a resource teacher for Travellers, a shared-based learning support teacher and a resource teacher for special needs children. The board of management of the school has advised my Department that the enrolment on 30 September 2001 was 270 pupils.
The only deviation from the agreed staffing arrangements is in the case of developing schools. The increase in enrolment between 30 September 2000 and 30 September 2001 of one pupil does not satisfy the criteria for the allocation of an additional post for the 2001-02 school year.
