Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

762 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's proposals regarding the suppression of a teaching post at a school (details supplied); and if he will review his decision to suppress a teaching post at the school. [26106/01]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

783 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the situation in Castleknock Educate Together School where the school has been threatened with the loss of the junior infants teacher; if he will recognise the change in circumstances at the school since 30 September 2001; if he will make allowances for the fact that pupil size has grown in number since then, and that the reason for the original shortfall in numbers was due to a delay in his Department in providing permanent accommodation for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26333/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 762 and 783 together.

The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule, which is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners. The enrolment at the school in question was 84 pupils on 30 September 2000. This enrolment entitles the school to a staffing of a principal and three mainstream class teachers for the 2001-2002 school year. The school also has the services of a teacher for non-national pupils. This school applied for an additional teacher on developing grounds for the school year 2001-2002 based on a projected enrolment of 123 pupils on 30 September 2001. As the enrolment on 30 September 2001 amounted to only 120 pupils, the school did not meet the developing school criteria.