Vol. 521 No. 1
268 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to having a special needs assistant appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16450/00]
An application for special needs assistant support for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently being investigated by my Department's inspectorate.
As soon as the inspector's report is received the matter will be considered and officials of my Department will be in touch with the school authorities.
269 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider approving a third teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo which will have 52 or 53 pupils from September 2000. [16459/00]
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 number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule. The staffing schedule is determined for a particular year following discussions with the managerial authorities and the INTO.
The current staffing of this school is a principal and one mainstream class teacher based on an enrolment of 51 as at 30 September 1998. The school also has the services of a remedial teacher.
The enrolment as at 30 September 1999, on which the staffing for the 2000-01 school year is based, was 52. Under the staffing schedule, this enrolment entitles the school to the same staffing as the current year. Unfortunately, I cannot authorise the appointment of a third teacher for this school.
If the board of management is satisfied that the school's enrolment in September next will show a significant increase over the September 1999 figure, it may wish to examine the possibility of applying for a teaching post under developing school criteria. The procedure for making application for such a post is outlined in circular 11/00, copies of which were recently issued to all schools.
