Vol. 508 No. 2
140 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide the extra teacher required for Scoil Barra Naofa, Monkstown, County Cork, in view of recent decisions he made regarding staffing levels at St. Ultan's school, Bohermeen, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18464/99]
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, the staffing schedule has traditionally been applied on the basis of the previous year's enrolment figures, and this continues to be the case. Therefore the schools which will initially benefit from the new schedule are those which qualify for an additional post in the 1999-2000 school year. Such schools will be in a position to organise classes in such a way as to ensure that there are no longer any very large classes.
The enrolment at Scoil Barra Naofa on 30 September 1998 of 197 pupils warrants the staffing of a principal and six mainstream class teachers for the current school year. In addition, the school has the service of a remedial teacher.
The circumstances of St. Ultan's national school, Bohermeen, County Meath, referred to by the Deputy are not similar to the situation in Scoil Barra Naofa. I have asked that the situation in Scoil Barra Naofa be further examined and I will inform the Deputy of the outcome in due course.
