Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2005
535 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reconsider the decision to suppress two disadvantaged posts at a school (details supplied) in County Galway in view of the fact that they fulfil the criteria for inclusion in the Giving Children an Even Break scheme; if she will take into account the fact that Tuam has been recognised as an area of disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8603/05]
View answer537 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if the suppression of two disadvantaged teaching posts at a school (details supplied) in County Galway will be reversed; if the pupils at this school will be given the maximum support under Section 32(9) of the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8615/05]
View answer582 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason two disadvantaged teaching posts have been suppressed in a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there was never a greater need for such teaching posts to be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9047/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 535, 537 and 582 together.
My Department is considering the staffing requirements in primary schools for the 2005-06 school year which is determined on the basis of the enrolment on 30 September 2004 and in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule which is expected to be notified to boards of management shortly.
A review of educational disadvantage programmes is being finalised by my Department and arising from the review process a draft report has been prepared. It is my intention to complete this work as soon as possible.
536 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will give consideration to the need to appoint an additional class teacher to a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8613/05]
View answerThe mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by applying the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year to a staffing schedule agreed between my Department and the education partners. In accordance with the staffing schedule, the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2004-05 school year is a principal plus 23 mainstream class teachers, based on an enrolment of 647 pupils at 30 September 2003. In addition, the school has two learning support posts, four resource teaching posts and one temporary language support post.
My Department will finalise the staffing schedule for the 2005-06 school year shortly and thereafter notify school boards of management. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management, the enrolment on 30 September 2004 in the school was 623 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure and in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule.
