asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that, due to cutbacks, Our Lady of Victories national school, Ballymun Road, Dublin 11 will have classes of over 50 pupils; if he is satisfied that children can be adequately taught in these circumstances; if he will sanction the appointment of additional teachers for this school in time for the 1986-87 school year; if he will agree to meet a delegation of the school's parents association to discuss the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballymun (Dublin) School.
14.
The staffing of national schools is determined in accordance with a schedule related to the average enrolment levels in the schools. There have been no cutbacks in the staffing levels of national schools and the present schedule has been in operation, unchanged, since September 1982.
The schools referred to by the Deputy are in a position where, due to a fall in the average enrolments, a number of teaching posts are likely to be suppressed in accordance with the rules; unless the appropriate average enrolment figures are achieved for the quarter ending 30 June 1986. The size of individual classes is a matter of organisation within the particular school but under the terms of the present schedule the average class size would be substantially less than the figure mentioned by the Deputy.
A number of schools are seeking special additional teaching assistance for the 1986-87 school year on the grounds that they are catering for disadvantaged areas. The circumstances of these schools will be assessed in September next in the light of available resources and in the light of actual enrolments and class organisation at that time. The application of Our Lady of Victories School will be dealt with accordingly.
I am sure the Minister is aware of the correspondence which was sent to him by the parents' association in connection with this matter. The Minister referred to the average size of classes. The parents' association indicate that as a result of the loss of teachers there will be some classes of up to 50 pupils and the principal will have to take on teaching duties. Does the Minister not regard that as inappropriate and is he aware that there are a number of children attending this school from the New Town Estate, Ballymun? Is there not a need for smaller classes in these circumstances?
If the size of classes were to be as the Deputy said, I would have to agree it would be unsatisfactory but I am advised that that will not be so, that the size of the classes and the teacher quota will be determined when the enrolment is completed next September. Then it will be a matter for internal organisation. Having regard to the present schedule relating to average enrolment levels I understand that that schedule should permit a staffing figure which would permit, in turn, classes considerably smaller than the numbers suggested by the Deputy. In addition, there is the possibility — I cannot say that it is anything more than that at this stage — that the school might qualify for extra resources arising under the disadvantaged areas scheme. They will be competing with other schools and assessments will have to be made as between the competing schools in the context of the greatest need. The schedule relating to the average enrolment will apply to this school in September next and I will ensure there will be no classes of the size suggested by the Deputy.
While the Minister has said from his information that the classes will not be of that size I can only go on the basis of what the parents have told me. Could the Minister indicate from his knowledge how many classes are expected to be in the school in September and what size will each class be? Could the Minister also indicate whether he will be prepared to meet a delegation from the parents' association?
It would be imprudent to guess what the position will be in September. Our experience is that the projections for September very often are significantly out of line with the actual position in September. These projections are made at Easter.
They could be over significant.
We do not expect that because the trend is beginning to descend. I would not like to hazard a guess at this stage. As I indicated in a reply to an earlier question, I am not averse to meeting deputations but to do so now would be premature. We will wait until after September to see if there is any problem then. At that stage the Deputy can contact me and we can see if it is necessary to meet the parents.