Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 8 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 5

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

John Bruton

Ceist:

182 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if inspectors from his Department have visited Dunboyne senior primary school; if they have evaluated the enrolment figures for the coming year; if they have examined the future potential population growth in the immediate area; his views on whether, based on new developments in the area, pupil numbers in the school will increase; if he will ensure there are additional teachers appointed to cater for the growth in pupil numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16246/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

An inspector of my Department recently visited this school and discussed the enrolment projections for the 2000-01 school year with the principal.

The position is that the school authorities do not expect that the enrolment required for the sanctioning of a post under the "developing school" criteria, as outlined in Circular Letter 11/2000, will be achieved in September 2000. The overall enrolment required on 30 September 2000 to meet the "developing school" criteria is 478 pupils. Accordingly, it will not be possible to sanction an additional teaching post for the next school year.

In the event that the projections in regard to intake to the school for September 2000 alter in the intervening period, my Department would be prepared to reconsider an application from the managerial authority under the "developing school" criteria.