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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Richard Bruton

Question:

271 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under present arrangements, retiring teachers have an incentive to wait until after 1 October to retire, due to the fact that the October pay increase significantly improves their lump sum; if his attention has been further drawn to the disruption this retirement can cause after the start of the school year; and if arrangements will be made to allow teachers retire before the start of the school year, without loss. [10938/02]

I am aware that an increase under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness will become due on 1 October 2002, provided the circumstances required under the programme are met. Similar increases under the programme have already been paid with effect from 1 October 2000 and 1 October 2001. I am not aware that these payments have resulted in any significant disruption to the work of schools.

The numbers of teachers who retire in any one year represent about 2.5% of the numbers employed. About 20% of annual retirements are compulsory by reason of age and these take effect on the last day of the school year, 31 August. A further 20% occur under the provisions of the early retirement scheme for teachers and unless there are exceptional circumstances, these also take effect on 31 August. About 12% of retirements arise because of ill health and these can take effect at any time during the school year. In the case of the balance of retirements, less than 50%, it is open to the teacher to choose his or her date of retirement. These voluntary retirements can take effect at any time during the school year with particular peaks at Christmas, Easter, mid-term and end-of-year.

Teachers who retire voluntarily are expected to give adequate notice of their intentions to school management. Three months notice is normally expected by school management, excluding the summer holiday period.

Richard Bruton

Question:

272 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will lose one of its special needs teachers, due to the fact that it is two pupils short, which will deny one of the special need classes the services of a specially trained teacher; and if his Department will grant the school a concession in order to retain this teacher and keep in place the skill base for special need pupils. [10939/02]

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 which is reviewed annually following discussions with the education partners.

The enrolment in this school was 294 pupils on 30 September 2001 which warrants a staffing of a principal plus ten mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year. The school also has the services of a disadvantaged concessionary teacher, learning support teacher, two special additional assistant teachers and a shared home school liaison teacher. I have requested an inspector of my Department to visit the school and report on the situation.

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