Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
121 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will take urgent action in order to prevent the loss of a teacher at Scoil Josaif, Marino Park Avenue, Dublin 3 and to give the school the maximum support and assistance. [14900/04]
View answerThe staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is one principal and six mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 175 pupils on 30 September 2002. Based on an enrolment of 178 pupils on 30 September 2003, the mainstream staffing for the school year 2004-05 will remain as one principal and six mainstream class teachers. For the next school year, 2004-05, I have decided that the determination by reference to enrolments in junior and senior classes at 30 September 2003 of teacher posts allocated for disadvantage will remain unchanged.
The school referred to by the Deputy has one Giving Children an Even Break or disadvantage post and on this basis is considered for staffing each year to enable it to implement reduced pupil teacher ratios of 20:1 in the junior classes and 27:1 in the senior classes. However, for the coming school year, the school's enrolment is insufficient for the continued recognition of the teaching post for disadvantage. My Department has considered the possibility of the retention of this post based on projected enrolments for September 2004. Unfortunately, based on the figures supplied to my Department by the school principal the retention of this post is not warranted. A detailed review of educational disadvantage schemes is now nearing completion and this will impact on existing schemes. All disadvantaged schools will be advised in relation to this when the review has been completed.
