Vol. 503 No. 3
576 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if the current staffing level at St. John's junior school, Michael Street, Kilkenny will be maintained in its present form for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9832/99]
As the Deputy may be aware, 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 in question on 30 September 1998 was 201 pupils. This enrolment warrants a teaching staff of a principal plus six mainstream class teachers for the 1999-2000 school year.
In the circumstances, I regret that even though there is a significant improvement in the primary school staffing schedule for the coming year there is no basis whereby the school can retain its existing staffing levels for the 1999-2000 school year.
