Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dublin School Disadvantaged Status.

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

190 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the situation at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin which is classified as disadvantaged for capitation purposes but which is not so designated for pupil-teacher ratio purposes; her views on the situation where the enrolment figures were six short resulting in the loss of a teacher in September 1995, although enrolment has not made up five of the six pupils, with more on a waiting list; if she will facilitate a meeting between her officials and the newly formed parents association at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7111/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The disadvantaged areas scheme was expended in 1994. The school referred to by the Deputy was included in the expanded scheme and as such, it receives additional capitation funding. Concessionary teaching posts previously associated with disadvantaged status were not available to the scheme on that occasion.

My Department is currently considering the findings of the recent reports on disadvantage as part of the process of developing a revised approach to the selection and support of pupils with educational disadvantage. The needs of this school will be considered in the context of any future expansion of the disadvantaged areas scheme.

The staffing of a national school for a particular year is determined by the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy on 30 September 1994 was 89 pupils which warrants a staffing of a principal and two assistants in the current school year. The third assistant's post at the school was suppressed in June 1995.

By reference to the existing staffing schedule, an enrolment of 94 pupils would have been required at the school in September 1995 in order to reappoint the third assistant for the 1996-97 school year. The parents' association of this school may wish to contact officials in my Department regarding a meeting.