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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 May 2000

Vol. 518 No. 6

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

John Bruton

Ceist:

551 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants allocated by him to either special or mainstream schools; the number of special needs assistants allocated to schools on the basis of one assistant to one child on a full-time, permanent basis; the category of special needs these children fall under; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12432/00]

To date, my Department has sanctioned the appointment of 556 full-time special needs assistant posts and eight part-time posts to special schools. A further 430 full-time special needs assistant posts and 230 part-time posts have been sanctioned to support children with special needs in special classes attached to mainstream schools or attending mainstream schools on a fully integrated basis.

A total of 227 full-time special needs assistant posts have been allocated to cater for pupils on a one-to-one basis.

The support of special needs assistants is made available across the spectrum of special needs. The level of support provided is based on the nature and level of the special need involved. The special education review committee made specific recommendations regarding the level of special needs assistant support which should be made available in respect of 11 different categories of special need. My Department seeks to ensure that its response is in line with the committee's recommendations. With this in mind, my Department is currently examining the level of special needs assistant support in place in all schools catering for children with special needs to ensure that the recommended levels of support are made available in all such cases.

John Bruton

Ceist:

552 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to ensure that Dunboyne national school, County Meath, does not lose a teacher when the staffing schedule for primary schools is agreed; if he will look at the long-term population trends for Dunboyne; if additional teachers will be appointed in the future in line with the projected increase in student numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12433/00]

The staffing of a primary school for a particular year is determined by reference to the number of pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September of the previous year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is drawn up each year following discussions with the managerial authorities and the INTO.

The enrolment in Dunboyne national school declined from 457 in September 1998 to 448 in September 1999. The number of pupils required to retain the 16 mainstream class teacher for the 2000-01 school year is 450. Accordingly, the school will lose the 16 mainstream class teacher at the end of the current school year.

If the school authorities are confident that the enrolment of the school on 30 September 2000 will exceed 478 pupils they may apply to the primary payments branch of my Department for the allocation of a teaching post under "developing school" criteria.

The criteria required for attaining "developing school" status are outlined in circular 15/99 which my Department issued to all schools last year.

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