Vol. 509 No. 3
88 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools which have teacher counsellors; if he will report on the experience of this programme to date; the plans, if any, he has to expand this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20186/99]
A total of 46 schools are included in the support teacher pilot project formerly known as the teacher counsellor project. The schools in question are served by a total of 40 support teachers. Details of the 46 schools in question folow.
The operation of the pilot phase of the support teacher project has been closely monitored by my Department and an initial evaluation report on the project was prepared by members of my Department's inspectorate and the school psychological service. Following consideration of this initial evaluation a co-ordinator was appointed to oversee the project and assist its effective operation. The project will be subject to further evaluation and the question of its expansion will be addressed in the context of that evaluation.
Allocation of Support Teacher posts
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DUBLIN |
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1. O'Connell BNS, Richmond St., Dublin 1 |
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2. Central Model SNS., Marlborough St., Dublin 1 |
sharing |
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3. Central Model INS., Marlborough St., Dublin 1 |
sharing |
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4. St. Mary's GNS., Mary's Place, Dublin 7 |
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5. St. Vincent JBNS, Nth. William St., Dublin 1 |
sharing |
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6. St. Vincents GNS, Nth. William St., Dublin 1 |
sharing |
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7. St. Laurence O'Toole SBNS, Seville Place, Dublin 1 |
sharing |
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8. St. Laurence O'Toole JBNS, Seville Place, Dublin 1 |
sharing |
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9. St. Laurence O'Toole SGNS, Seville Place, Dublin 1 |
sharing |
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10. St. Laurence O'Toole JGNS, Seville Place, Dublin 1 |
sharing |
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11. St. James' Convent NS., Basin Lane, Dublin 8 |
sharing |
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12. St. James' CBS., James St., Dublin 8 |
sharing |
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13. Scoil Iosagain, Aughavannagh Road, Dublin 12 |
sharing |
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14. Marist NS., Clogher Road, Dublin 12 |
sharing |
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15. Rutland St. N.S., Rutland St., Dublin 1.16. Croi Ro Naofa JNS., Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin 2417. Croi Ro Naofa SNS., Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin 2418. Scoil Aonghusa JNS., Balrothery, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
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19. Scoil Aonghusa SNS., Balrothery, Tallaght, Dublin 2420. Scoil Caitlin Maud, Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin 2421. Scoil Bride, Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin 2422. St. Aidan's SNS., Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin 2423. St. Anne's SNS., Fettercairn, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
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24. St. Anne's JNS., Fettercairn, Tallaght, Dublin 2425. Cnoc Mhuire JNS., Knockmore Ave., Tallaght, Dublin 2426. Cnoc Mhuire SNS., Knockmore Ave., Tallaght, Dublin 2427. Scoil Iosa, Tymon North, Tallaght, Dublin 2428. St. Thomas' JNS., Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 2429. St. Thomas' SNS., Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 2430. St. Dominic's NS., Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
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31. Sc. an Choroin Mhuire, Ballycragh, Tallaght, Dublin 2432. St. Bernadette's SNS., Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin 2233. St. Bernadette's JNS., Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Clondalkin 2234. St. Mary's JNS., Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 2235. St. Mary's SNS., Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 2236. Holy Spirit B.N.S., Silloge Road, Ballymun, Dublin 1137. San Uinsionn C.B.S., Glasnevin, Dublin 938. Talbot senior national school, Bawnogue, Clondalkin, Dublin 2239. Sacred Heart B.N.S., Ballygall, Finglas, Dublin 1140. City Quay B.N.S., City Quay, Dublin 2 |
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CORK |
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41. Scoil Ursula, Blackrock, Cork42. Scoil Mhuire Banrion, Mayfield, Cork43. Scoil Naomh Eoin Easpal, Mayfield, Cork44. Scoil Aiseirí Chríost, Farranree, Cork45. St. Marie's of the Isle NS., Mayfield, Cork |
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KILDARE |
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46. Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Athy, County Kildare |
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Total 46 schools, 40 Support Teacher Posts |
89 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to develop a package of support for teaching principals. [20002/99]
I am very much aware of the central role which principals play in our school system. I am also aware that the provision of effective supports to teaching principals is a complex issue. The role of each principal in different schools will vary depending on a wide range of factors, for example, the size of their school. Principals in the over 800 schools which have only one or two teachers obviously face a very different issues to those in larger schools. It was because of the need to examine the full range of issues that I established, last year, a working group to examine the rights, roles, duties and responsibilities of principals, both administrative principals and teaching principals, in primary schools. The review group, which was chaired by Teri Garvey, was representative of the partners in education and current and former principals comprised a majority of its membership.
As the Deputy may be aware, teaching principals already have a range of supports to assist them in carrying out their functions in schools. These include the middle management structure in schools, in accordance with which principals may delegate some functions to other teachers in the school. These structures were designed to compensate for the increasing levels of administration and management that arise as schools increase in size. Approximately three quarters of all primary schools have middle management structures. Principals in many schools also have access to secretarial and caretaking services funded by my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced a major investment of £2.7 million to provide for a substantial improvement to the secretarial-caretaking scheme in primary schools. In addition, various initiatives implemented by the Government have ensured that the fundraising burden placed on principals has been significantly reduced and important training supports have been put in place. I remain committed to ensuring that principals in all our primary schools are effectively supported in their roles and will certainly consider in great detail the report of the working group.
