Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Principal Teachers.

John Gormley

Ceist:

749 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a copy of the INTO principal teachers campaign, A Better Service for Children; if so, his response to the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1415/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

The document referred to by the Deputy was forwarded to me recently.

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.

I myself met with the INTO to discuss the recommendations of the report and further discussions have taken place between officials of my Department and the INTO to examine the issues involved.

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 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.