Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 1

Written Answers. - Meath School Staffing.

Noel Dempsey

Ceist:

154 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to reconsider a case of a school (details supplied) in County Meath that is due to lose two teachers due to the fact that it was seven units below the retention figure in September 1995, in view of the fact that the school has increased its numbers in the meantime and further in view of the fact that this school has 60 remedial children, one child who is partially sighted, one child in a wheelchair and one child that is hard of hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14684/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The staffing of a national school for a particular year is determined by the enrolment in the school on the 30 September of the previous year.

The enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy on the 30 September 1995 was 449 pupils. This will warrant a staffing of a principal and 14 assistants for the 1996/97 school year. The school also has the services of a remedial teacher.

Accordingly, the fifteenth and sixteenth assistants posts will be suppressed at the end of the current school year.

A school may qualify for an additional post based on developing school status if the school achieves a minimum numerical increase of 30 pupils relative to the school's enrolment on the 30 September of the previous year.

The board of management of the school may apply to my Department before 1 November for consideration for an additional post on this basis.