Vol. 403 No. 4
74 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a recent survey of second level education which indicated that two-thirds of schools were above her Department's guidelines for class sizes of more than 30 in general subjects and 24 in practicals; and the implications these numbers had for insurance purposes.
My Department does not issue guidelines to post-primary schools as to the upper limit of pupils to be allowed in classes for general subjects; this would be a matter for determination by the school authorities.
Maximum numbers are prescribed in the rules governing the payment of special grants to secondary schools for practical subjects but these rules also allow for the approval of a class exceeding the number prescribed in special circumstances.
In regard to insurance, the Department extends a State indemnity to the authorities of community and comprehensive schools in lieu of their taking out insurance cover against liabilities which may arise. In the case of vocational and secondary schools the relevant management authorities have responsibility for the arrangements in this regard.
The present arrangements have been in existence for many years and have proved satisfactory.
