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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

130 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if Scoil Uí Chearthnaí Gael Scoil, Ballinalsoe, County Galway, have the same complement of staff in the current school year as in 2002; the status of the school building application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21601/03]

The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.

Gaelscoil Uí Cheithearnaigh had an enrolment of 176 pupils on 30 September 2001 which entitled the school to a staffing of principal and seven mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year.

The school had 180 pupils on 30 September 2002 which allows for a staffing of a principal and seven mainstream class teachers for the 2003-04 school year. The agreed appointment figure for eighth mainstream class teacher is 193 pupils.

The school also has a shared learning support teacher, a resource teacher and in the 2002-03 school year had a temporary post to assist with space difficulties at the school.

An independent appeals board was established to adjudicate on appeals from boards of management on mainstream staffing allocations in primary schools. The appeals board operates independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision is final. A circular outlining these new procedures issued to all primary schools.

The staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2003-04 school year was considered by the appeals board and I understand that the board of management of the school was notified of the decision of the appeals board in April 2003.

The large-scale building project for Gaelscoil Uí Cheithearnaigh is listed in section 6 of the 2003 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie This project is at stage 4/5 of architectural planning (detailed design/contract documents). It has been assigned a band 2 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.

Projects listed in sections 6 and 7 will not be authorised to progress beyond their current stage of architectural planning at this time.

Budgetary provisions in 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progression to tender and construction of these projects in conjunction with the band rating individually assigned. In the meantime, individual schools should, as appropriate, use their devolved grant to deal with any urgent health and safety works.
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