Vol. 552 No. 2
162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the appointment of the required resource teachers at Confey College, Leixlip, County Kildare in view of the need as already set out by the parents council and school authorities; if he will respond positively to these needs in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12271/02]
My Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to second level schools to cater for special needs pupils. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authorities. Each case is considered on its merits and determined on the advice of the psychological service.
A request by the vocational education committee for the allocation of a resource teacher post in respect of Confey College has been received by my Department. The application has been referred to the psychological service for a report and, as soon as the report has been received and considered, my Department will notify the VEC of the decision.
163 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will accede to the case being made by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 for sanction to appoint a 15th assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12272/02]
The staffing of a national school for a particular school year is determined by the enrolment in the school on the 30 September of the previous year. This is in accordance with an agreement on staffing entered into between the Government and the education partners.
The enrolment of this school on 30 September 2001 was 411 pupils, which warrants a staffing of a principal and 14 mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year. In addition the school has the services of a learning support teacher, a special class teacher and a resource teacher.
