Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Primary School Principals.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

710 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his response to the aspects of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation principal teachers' campaign (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1088/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

I met with the INTO to discuss the recommendations of the report of the working group which I established to examine the rights, roles, duties and responsibilities of principals in primary schools.

Further discussions have taken place between officials of my Department and the INTO to examine the issues involved. As a consequence of these discussions, proposals made by my Department are currently under consideration.

There is 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 substan tial 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.

The Deputy will also be aware that I have secured an additional £9 million in the recent budget which will enable me to extend and improve the supports available to all primary schools. Details of the implementation of this will be worked out in the near future following consultations and will, when taken together with the earlier move, make a major contribution to assisting schools and principals.