School Staffing.

Wednesday, 1 December 2004

Questions (190)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

219 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the budget which was allocated for substitute cover to enable teaching principals to be released for administrative duties in 2003 and 2004; the amount spent in both years; the amount of the budget which was not utilised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31657/04]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The number of days teaching principals at primary level may take as release time in a school year is based on the size of the school. "Size of the school" refers to principal and mainstream class teachers only and excludes ex-quota posts including those in the areas of learning support, resource and disadvantaged concessionary posts. The number of days which may be taken are as follows:

Size of School	Number of days
Principal + 5/6 teachers	22.
Principal + 3/4 teachers	18.
Principal + 0/1/2 teachers	14.

The cost of substitution for principals on release time is included in the overall budget for substitution. The cost of release time during the 2002-03 school year was €2,695,144.21 and €2,221,317.18 in 2003-04.