Bernard Allen
Ceist:515 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will sanction two permanent teaching posts at Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh do Chailíní. [15375/02]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
The board of management of the school referred to by the Deputy was advised on 26 March 2002 that the posts in question would continue on a temporary basis for the 2002-03 school year. The staffing position at the school will be reviewed at the end of the 2002-03 school year.
Question No. 516 answered with Question No. 510.
Mildred Fox
Ceist:517 Ms Fox asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced at St. Andrews National School, Newcourt Road, Bray, County Wicklow, in relation to overcrowding and splitting of classes; if he will consider appointing an additional teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15377/02]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 September of the previous year. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is agreed for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The enrolment of this school on 30 September 2001 was 169 pupils which warrants a staffing of a teaching principal and five mainstream class teachers for the 2002-2003 school year. The school also has the services of a resource teacher and a shared learning support teacher.
As the agreed appointment figure for the sixth mainstream class teacher of 175 pupils has not been achieved, I regret that there is no basis on which I may sanction an additional post at St. Andrew's National School for the 2002-2003 school year.
The Deputy may be aware that I recently established an independent appeals board to adjudicate on appeals from boards of management on mainstream staffing allocations in primary schools. The appeals board will operate independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision will be final. A circular outlining these new procedures has recently been issued to all primary schools.