Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 6

Written Answers. - County Wexford School Staffing.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

205 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education if a primary school (details supplied) in County Wexford will be allowed to retain the fourth teacher for a temporary period in view of the increased enrolment numbers that bring them up to the required level under the pupil/teacher ratio to retain the fourth teacher and in view of their current application for the allocation of a resource teacher post; and if she will allow them to retain their present complement in these circumstances.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The staffing of national schools for a particular year is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 of September of the previous year. The enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy on 30 September 1993 is 121 pupils which warrants a staffing of a principal and three assistants for the 1994-95 school year. In addition, the school has the services of a remedial teacher.

In the circumstances, the fourth assistant post will be suppressed with effect from the end of the current school year. The teacher in question has been placed on the panel for re-deployment.

The role of the resource teacher is to act in support of ordinary teaching staff in dealing with special needs of children with disabilities attending ordinary classes. I will keep the question of further need in this area under review. The needs of all schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be considered in this context.