Róisín Shortall
Question:324 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the decision to deduct a teacher from Larkhill boys' school, Larkhill, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13174/02]
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 275 pupils which warrants a staffing of a principal and ten mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year. As the agreed retention figure for the 11th mainstream class teacher is 296 pupils, I regret that there is no basis on which I may sanction a continuation of this post at Larkhill boys' national school for the 2002-03 school year.
Róisín Shortall
Question:325 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3 is to lose a teacher at the beginning of the next school year; if he will review this decision with reference to the actual impact on the school concerned; if he will change this policy to take into account specific class numbers rather than simple whole school pupil- teacher ratios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13175/02]
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 370 pupils which warrants a staffing of a principal and 13 mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year. The school also has the services of a learning support teacher and a resource teacher. As the agreed retention figure for the 14th mainstream class teacher is 383 pupils, I regret that there is no basis on which I may sanction a continuation of this post at Scoil Mhuire national school for the 2002-03 school year.
Liz McManus
Question:326 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements he is making to resolve the ongoing difficulties in relation to the filling of the post of principal of Tinahely national school, County Wicklow. [13176/02]
The Deputy is aware that there are ongoing difficulties in Tinahely national school. The single manager who is responsible for the governance of the school is actively engaged in efforts to resolve those difficulties. My officials have maintained close contact with the single manager since his appointment with a view to providing assistance to him, wherever possible, in carrying out his duties. I am assured by the single manager that while the principal is currently on administrative leave, the duties of principal are being discharged by the acting principal. I can confirm to the Deputy that the question of filling the post of principal does not arise at this stage as no vacancy exists.
Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 301.