Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:135. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to a request made in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [41097/18]
View answerTuesday, 9 October 2018
Questions (135)
Written answers
The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The criteria for the appointment of an administrative principal to a school, which are enrolment related, are set out in Appendix B of Circular 0010/2018. There is no scope to deviate from these arrangements.
The enrolment required for the appointment of an administrative principal in ordinary schools is 176 pupils on 30th September 2017, or 113 pupils if the school is operating a specialist autism unit. As the enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy was 109 on 30th September 2017, the school does not meet the requirements for an administrative principal for the current school year.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
In Budget 2019, school leadership is again supported with an additional release day for teaching principals in primary schools and a further four additional release days for teaching principals in schools with special classes. These additional release days will be effective from 01 September 2019.