Vol. 551 No. 4
268 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) whose position may be discontinued due to falling enrolment, can be retained for the academic year commencing 2002, in view of the teacher's role in providing additional support to a number of children with special needs. [10909/02]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 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 at Ballyleague national school has decreased from 55 pupils on 30 September 2000 to 45 pupils on 30 September 2001. This latter enrolment will entitle the school to a staffing of a principal and one mainstream class teacher for the 2002-2003 school year. Unfortunately I cannot sanction the retention of the second mainstream class teaching post for the 2002-03 school year as the school's enrolment on 30 September 2001 does not meet the retention requirement of 50 pupils. The school shares a resource teaching post with three schools in the locality. The special needs pupils in question are on the caseload of this resource post.
269 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious staffing situation at Killeshandra No. 2 national school; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the expected roll count is 50 in 2002-03, 53 in 2003-04, 52 in 2004-05 and 53 in 2005-06; his views on whether these figures fall within the present level for allowing a third mainstream teacher; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that if this third teacher is not re-employed in 2002, the junior teacher will then have a class of 31 pupils; and if the third teacher can be retained at this school. [10921/02]
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 at Killeshandra No. 2 national school has decreased from 54 pupils on 30 September 2000 to 46 pupils on 30 September 2001. This latter enrolment will entitle the school to a staffing of a principal and one mainstream class teacher for the 2002-03 school year. Unfortunately I cannot sanction the retention of the second mainstream class teaching post for the 2002-03 school year. The organisation of classes within the school is a matter for the board of management.
