Vol. 472 No. 4
112 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Education if she will approve the immediate appointment of a fourth teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Meath in view of the fact that the school is in breach of the recommended 31 pupils per class group and rule 31 of the rules for national schools. [23429/96]
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 1995 was 84 pupils. This enrolment warrants a staffing of a principal and two assistant teachers for the 1996-97 school year.
I understand that the current enrolment at the school is 96 pupils. This enrolment would be sufficient for the appointment of the third assistant teacher at the school from the start of the 1997-98 school year.
The managerial authorities at the school have been in contact with officials of my Department seeking the immediate appointment of the third assistant teacher on the grounds that the school is in breach of maximum class size guidelines. An inspector has visited the school and has furnished a report on the situation. All aspects of this matter, including the school's capacity to comply with the provisions of Rule 31, are at present being examined in my Department. As soon as this examination has been completed, my officials will communicate directly with the school's managerial authorities in this matter.
