Vol. 552 No. 1
656 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will retain the original improved staffing levels granted under the "Giving Children An Even Break" scheme for St. John the Apostle boys' primary school, Mayfield, Cork and not reduce the staffing levels by deploying a teacher to the panel in view of the fact that the school expects to increase its enrolment from 269 to 281 in September 2002. [11136/02]
The Deputy is referring to the major new programme, "Giving Children An Even Break", which I announced in January 2001 to deal with educational disadvantage in primary schools last year. This programme replaces the previous process of designation of schools that serve areas of educational disadvantage. "Giving Children An Even Break" will be run over a three-year period and will cost some €33 million, with the allocation of over 200 teaching posts.
There are separate urban and rural dimensions to "Giving Children An Even Break". The school in question has been included in the urban dimension and is eligible to receive supplementary grant aid of €3,298 in respect of the 2001-02 school year towards providing additional educational supports for the pupils concerned.
Since the programme was launched, schools categorised as urban with the highest concentrations of at risk pupils, including the school referred to by the Deputy, are being supported, where necessary, over the three-year period through staff allocations to implement a maximum class sizes of 20:1 in junior classes, infants through second class, and 29:1 in senior classes, third through sixth classes. Starting in the 2002-03 school year, I have approved the reduction in the maximum class size in senior classes from 29:1 to 27:1, for these selected urban schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy. The maximum class size for junior classes will remain at 20:1.
In line with normal staffing arrangements for national schools, teacher post allocations for the purpose of "Giving Children An Even Break" in respect of the 2002-03 school year will be determined by reference to enrolments in junior and senior classes at 30 September 2001. This process is under way at present in my Department and the school in question will be informed of its allocation as soon as possible. I am aware that this school has also made representations concerning a possible increase in its enrolments for September next. This factor will also be taken into consideration.
