School Staffing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2004

Tuesday, 23 November 2004

Questions (417)

Seán Crowe

Question:

467 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will investigate the delayed progress at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal and the delay in having an extra teacher allocated to the school and in the provision of a pre-fab. [30155/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school 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 a principal and three mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 113 pupils on 30 September 2003. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management, the enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 120 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule which is expected to be notified to boards of management early in 2005.

The school planning section of my Department has considered all applications for temporary accommodation. In the context of the available funding and the number of applications for that funding, it was not possible to approve all applications received and only those with an absolute and demonstrated need for additional accommodation were approved. The application from the school referred to by the Deputy was not successful on this occasion.

The need for accommodation at the school is being considered as part of a review of all projects that did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, revised earlier this year following consultation with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.