Vol. 535 No. 2
61 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the proposed loss of a teacher at St. Helen's senior national school, Portmarnock, County Dublin; the justification for this given that the school is in a development; and if he will approve the retention of the teacher in question. [11850/01]
The staffing of a primary school for a particular year is determined by reference to the number of pupils enrolled on 30 September of the previous year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The enrolment of 301 pupils on 30 September 1999 warranted a staffing of a principal and 11 mainstream class teachers for the current school year.
The enrolment declined to 299 pupils on 30 September 2000 and accordingly, the staffing warranted for the 2001-02 school year is a principal and ten mainstream class teachers. The number of pupils required to retain the 11th mainstream class teacher for the 2001-02 school year is 300. The school also has the services of a language support teacher and a special class teacher.
