Vol. 430 No. 8
252 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the decision to suppress the post of an assistant teacher in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 2 which is a designated disadvantaged school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The staffing of a national school is determined by the enrolment on 30 September of the previous year. In the case of City Quay national school, Dublin 2, there were 198 pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September 1991. This enrolment warranted a staff of Principal plus six assistants. The school also has the services of a full-time remedial teacher and a concessionary teacher under the special scheme of teaching assistance for schools serving disadvantaged areas.
There were 189 pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September 1992 which warrants a staff of Principal plus five assistants for the 1993-94 school year. An enrolment of at least 198 pupils was required on that date in order to retain the post of 6th assistant for 1993-94.
The only exceptions that can be made from the agreed staffing arrangements are in the case of developing schools or where my Department's guidelines on maximum class sizes are being breached. If the school authorities feel that the school might qualify for the retention of the post of 6th assistant under either of these exceptions, my Department would be happy to examine the position on receipt of details.
The school continues, of course, to retain the concessionary post allowed for schools in disadvantaged areas.
