Skip to main content
Normal View

School Staffing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004

Wednesday, 17 November 2004

Questions (402)

Finian McGrath

Question:

442 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if the maximum support and resources will be given to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and the school made a priority. [28640/04]

View answer

Written answers

Teacher allocations to second levels 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 timetable and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. Apart from meeting requirements relating to the provision of the core subjects, the curriculum offered in individual second level schools is a matter for the authorities of the school concerned having regard to its approved teacher allocation. The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments from within its approved allocation, my Department will consider applications for additional short-term support, that is, curricular concessions. 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 1.37 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. The school was notified of this allocation in April 2004 and advised, that, in the event of it not being satisfied with this allocation, it could appeal in writing before 14 May 2004 to the independent appeals committee. The school did not avail of the independent appeals mechanism.

My Department also allocates resource teacher support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and VECs to cater for students with special educational needs. The nature and support provided in each case is based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual student and the advice of the National Educational Psychological Service. The school in question has to date received a total of 0.66 whole-time equivalent teaching posts to cater for students with special educational needs.

Top
Share