Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:297 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of his plans to provide extra teaching staff and extra special needs assistants for Belgrove national school, Clontarf, Dublin 3. [24836/03]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
My Department received an application for resource teaching support and special needs assistant support for a number of pupils attending the school referred to by the Deputy.
Applications for special educational needs supports received between 14 February 2003 and 31 August 2003 are being examined at present on the basis of the supporting professional report(s) and in the context of resources already available at the school. The process involves an examination of each application and supporting documentation by a dedicated team of inspectors and psychologists. The schools concerned will be informed of the outcome as early as possible in the current school year. The application from the school in question will be considered in this context.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:298 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the current situation whereby the parents of children attending Belgrove national school are providing the total amount of finance necessary to pay for at least one teacher working in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24837/03]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners. The staff of the school in question comprises a principal, 11 mainstream class teachers, one learning support teacher and one resource teacher. The enrolment of the school on 30 September 2002 was 324.
An independent appeals board was established to adjudicate on appeals from boards of management on mainstream staffing allocations in primary schools. The board operates independently of the Minister and my Department. The staffing at Belgrove senior boys' school for the 2003-04 school year was considered by the appeals board. It was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule is not warranted in this case. The board of management of the school was notified of the decision of the appeals board on 10 April 2003. The decision of the appeals board is final. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.