Michael Ring
Ceist:159 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when the recommendations of the recently published review group on primary schools principals will be implemented. [25708/99]
Written Answers. - Primary Schools Review.
The report of the working group which I set up last year to examine the rights, roles, duties and responsibilities of principals in primary schools was recently presented to me.
There is of course already a range of supports in place to assist principals in carrying out their functions. The middle management structures in schools which have been developed in recent years enable the principal to delegate a number of functions to other teachers. In particular, many schools have access to secretarial and caretaking services, and I have recently announced substantial improvements in the level of assistance in these areas.
In recognition of the need to improve the funding of secretaries and caretakers I have recently announced that an additional £2.7 million has been made available to extend support to another 650 schools with a total enrolment of 90,000 children in the coming year.
There are various recommendations which impact on the terms and conditions of teachers which should, as envisaged in the report be pursued through the relevant industrial relations machinery, particularly as cross-sectoral impacts must be considered.
I recognise the need for further supports for our primary schools and for principals in carrying out their roles. However, these can only be introduced in the context of the full range of issues facing primary education and normal industrial relations procedures. I have recently held discussions on these.