Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 1990

Vol. 402 No. 9

Written Answers. - Dundalk (Louth) School.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

98 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the pupil-teacher ratio at St. Nicholas' Monastery National School, Dundalk, County Louth is in some classes as high as 40; if this is in accordance with her policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke):

As the Deputy will be aware, there is an agreement between the Government and the INTO regarding the staffing of national schools.

As part of this agreement my Department have implemented a reduction of one unit in the enrolment-staffing schedule for national schools from 1 September 1990. This agreement has led to an improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio in national schools for the 1990-91 school year.

Under existing arrangements negotiated under the auspices of the Central Review Committee, school authorities, in particular the principal teacher, are responsible for arranging the organisation of the school so as to ensure that no class group exceeds the following guidelines set down by my Department: 39 (in the case of a single-grade class-group); 38 (in the case of a class-group with two consecutive grades) and 35 (in the case of a multi-grade class-group).

The following is the position regarding enrolment in this school:

Enrolment 30-9-99 — 343;

Staffing for 89-90 — principal plus ten assistants plus one remedial;

Enrolment 30-9-89 — 333;

Staffing for 90-91 — principal plus ten assistants plus one remedial;

Enrolment 30-9-90 — 321.

It is possible to organise this school to remain within the maximum class size guidelines. The issue of class sizes in national schools will be reviewed in the context of ongoing discussions under theProgramme for National Recovery.

The board of management of this school have not applied for sanction to appoint an additional assistant teacher.