Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:449 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the appointment of a second teacher to Leenane national school, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7429/98]
Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.
In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the current school year with the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. These agreed arrangements were based on the allo cation of all surplus posts available for redistribution from the demographic dividend.
The Deputy will be aware that An Action Programme for the Millennium contains a commitment to give primary education a clear priority in allocating resources. In this context, the programme specifically states that one teacher schools with ten or more pupils will receive a second teacher. There are currently 103 one teacher primary schools, including Leenane national school, with ten or more pupils.
Since there are at present no teaching posts available to me for allocation to these schools, I am currently examining a range of options with a view to identifying the most appropriate way to fulfil the Government's commitment to one teacher schools.