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 527 pupils which warrants a staffing of a principal and 18 mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year. As the agreed retention figure for the 19th mainstream class teacher is 528 pupils, I regret that there is no basis on which I may sanction a continuation of this post at Holy Family junior national school, River Valley, Swords 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 the Holy Family national school achieve an enrolment of 557 or more pupils by September its board of management may apply to my Department's primary payments section for a developing school post. The organisation of classes within the school is a matter for its board of management.
