Olwyn Enright
Question:180 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the effects the cut in concessionary hours has had on CBS, Westland Row; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21786/03]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its teaching timetable and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments my Department will consider applications for additional short-term support. An independent appeals mechanism is available to school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.
The school in question applied for a curricular concession allocation and was allocated 2.36 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. The school was notified of this allocation in April and advised that, in the event of its not being satisfied with this allocation, it could appeal in writing before 6 May to the independent appeals committee. The school did not avail of the appeals mechanism.
The total staffing allocation to the school for the current school year is 14.42 whole-time equivalent teacher posts and three special needs assistants. This allocation includes one disadvantaged area post and half of a whole-time equivalent teacher post in respect of home-school-community liaison. This level of allocation leaves the school with a pupil-teacher ratio of 7.8:1.
Having regard to the number of pupils enrolled at the school, I am satisfied that the level of teaching resources made available represents an adequate response which is fully in line with allocations generally in the second level system.