Vol. 508 No. 1
818 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which he will fulfil his commitments regarding class size in view of the fact that a number of classes at Scoil Áine girls national school, Raheny, Dublin 5, have 38 or more pupils. [17539/99]
As you are aware, I have been concerned for some time about the number of large classes in the primary system, and have been examining ways to target additional teaching resources to those schools with the greatest need in this area. The new staffing schedule which issued in April last has been structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to a maximum class size of 30 pupils.
However, as you know, the staffing schedule has traditionally been applied on the basis of the previous year's enrolment figures, and this continues to be the case. Initially, the schools which will benefit from the new schedule are those whose enrolment in September 1998 qualifies them for an additional post in the 1999/2000 school year. Such schools will, therefore, be in a position to organise classes in such a way as to ensure that there are no longer any very large classes. The Deputy will appreciate that this represents a major advance on previous policy.
As a result of the favourable change in the staffing schedule, Scoil Aine's staffing has increased from a principal and 11 mainstream class teachers for the 1998-99 school year to a principal and 12 mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 348 pupils on 30 September 1998. This gives an average class size of 29 pupils which is within the maximum class size of 30 pupils. The allocation of students to classes is a matter for the principal concerned.
In addition, the school has the services of a remedial teacher.
