Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2006
151 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of Ireland’s aim to cherish equally the children of the nation, the reason 77 children in a classroom in a school in a Gaeltacht area would merit four teachers but in a non-Gaeltacht area the same scenario would result in three teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7496/06]
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 which is issued annually to all primary schools. Under current arrangements the enrolment figure required for the appointment of a mainstream class teacher in a Gaeltacht school is the same as that which applies in the case of an ordinary primary school. However the figure required for the retention of a mainstream class teacher in a Gaeltacht school is lower in the case of posts up to and including the 12th mainstream teacher, relative to ordinary primary schools.
I am aware of the unique position of primary schools situated in Gaeltacht areas and of the particular problems that they experience as a result of losing teaching posts. This retention policy has applied to Gaeltacht schools since the 1999-2000 school year. Officials in my Department are preparing the revised staffing schedule for the 2006-07 school year and this will be issued to the boards of management of all primary schools shortly.
