Jack Wall
Question:307 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when a fourth teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13061/02]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
The staffing of a national school for a particular school year is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 September of the previous year. This is in accordance with an agreement on staffing entered into between the Government and the education partners.
The enrolment of this school on 30 September 2001 was 74 pupils which warrants a staffing of a principal and two mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year.
As the agreed appointment figure for the third mainstream class teacher is 82 pupils, I regret that the appointment of the third mainstream class teacher cannot be sanctioned for the 2002-03 school year.
The above staffing agreement can only be deviated from in instances where schools have rapid growth in enrolment numbers. Should Brannockstown national school achieve an enrolment of 99 or more pupils by September 2002, its board of management may apply to the primary payments section of my Department for a developing school post.
The granting of an additional teaching post on the basis of accommodation difficulties for the 2002-03 school year is not warranted.