Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

129 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern among parents at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 which has seven pupils less than required to retain their 16th teacher; his views on the fact that this will result in there being two classes of 40 pupils and a splitclass of 35 pupils; if he will make an exception in this case and allow the school to retain this teacher in order to avoid a totally unsatisfactory situation for the school in September 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12511/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year.

The 16th teaching post at the school referred to by the Deputy will be lost at the end of the current school year because the enrolment at the school in September 1997 declined to 471 pupils, seven points below the figure set for the retention of this post. Accordingly, the authorised staffing level for the school for the 1998-99 school year is a principal, 15 teachers and a further two remedial teachers.

Schools which are unable to organise their classes in compliance with maximum class size guidelines may apply to my Department for additional staffing. If the managerial authorities of this school project that the September, 1998 enrolment at the school is likely to be such that it cannot be managed within recommended maximum class size guidelines, details of the projected enrolment should be forwarded to my Department immediately.