Vol. 503 No. 3
591 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a request from Archbishop McQuaid junior school, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, County Dublin for the retention of two teachers; if he will favourably consider the schools request in view of the fact that this school serves a disadvantaged area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9993/99]
The staffing of primary schools is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between this Department and the education partners. In addition, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been significantly improved for the coming year.
The current staffing of Archbishop McQuaid junior school is a principal and eight mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 229 as at 30 September 1997. The enrolment on 30 September 1998, on which the staffing for the 1999-2000 school year is based, was 204 pupils. Unfortunately, this does not meet the retention requirement for the seventh and eighth teaching posts for the next school year, and I regret that there is therefore no basis for sanctioning the retention of these posts.
The school will continue to have the services of two remedial teachers, a special teacher for travellers, a teacher for the mildly mentally handicapped and a home school liaison teacher. It will also, by virtue of its disadvantaged status, retain the services of its concessionary teaching post for the 1999-2000 school year.
