Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 1990

Vol. 402 No. 9

Written Answers. - Macroom (Cork) School.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

99 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education the reason the number of teachers in Macroom Boys' National School, County Cork, has been reduced in the current school year; the pupil-teacher ratio currently in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke):

The staffing of national schools for a particular year is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 September of the previous year. This is in accordance with the agreement between the Government and the INTO under the Programme for National Recovery.

As the enrolement in Macroom Boys' National School dropped to 135 on 30 September 1989, the fourth assistant teacher was placed on the Cloyne diocesan panel for redeployment to another school in accordance with the rules for national schools.

The current pupil-teacher ratio in this school is 1:34.25. My Department have examined the current enrolment and find that the school is not in breach of maximum class size guidelines.