Vol. 553 No. 5
201 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the request of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 for the retention of the 16th mainstream class teacher for the school year 2002-03; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14296/02]
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 434 pupils, which warrants a staffing of a principal and 16 mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year. The school also has the services of two learning support teachers and a shared resource teacher.
As the agreed retention figure for the 16th mainstream class teacher is 441 pupils, I regret that there is no basis on which I may sanction a continuation of this post at St. Canice's girls national school for the 2002-03 school year.
202 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the situation where post-primary teachers remain as EPT for long periods; his plans to make these teachers permanent after a specific period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14297/02]
The vast majority of teaching posts at second level are filled on a permanent, whole-time basis. Vacancies in schools arising from career breaks, approved leave of absence or secondments and concessionary posts, which are allocated in excess of a school's normal quota of posts, may only be filled in a temporary or part-time capacity. In addition, in order to ensure that schools have the flexibility to meet the curricular needs of their students, particularly in minority subject areas, it is necessary for them to appoint temporary or part-time teachers.
Under the terms of the EPT scheme, EPTs who are fully qualified and have given satisfactory service are re-employed on a contract basis from year to year where the same teaching hours are required. Most teachers, who are initially employed as EPTs, subsequently apply for and are appointed to permanent teaching posts in their subject area. They are entitled to incremental and pension credit for their qualified EPT service, together with recognition of this service for promotion purposes.
