Ceist:
86 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to implement the recommendations of the Review Group on Primary School Principals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3343/00]
Written Answers. - School Principals.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:98 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements, if any, he is making for the provision of administrative assistants in primary schools and for the release of teaching school principals to enable them to carry out their necessary administrative and managerial functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3186/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 98 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that agreement has been reached to implement a number of the recommendations in the report of the working group which reviewed the role, duties, responsibilities and rights of primary school principals.
The number of mainstream assistants required for the appointment of an administrative principal will be reduced from eight to seven. This will be implemented from the commencement of the 2000-2001 school year.
In addition, substitution cover will be allowed for teaching principals in the smaller schools with two to six teachers which have more than 25 pupils.
In recognition of the need to improve the funding of secretaries and caretakers an additional £2.7 million has been made available this year to extend support to another 650 schools with a total enrolment of 90,000 children.
The Deputies will also be aware that an additional £9 million was provided in the recent budget. This will enable me to further 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.
The other recommendations of the working group are under examination in my Department.