Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
204 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department’s views on whether staffing levels at a school (details supplied) in County Cork are adequate in view of the fact that in the school year 2004-05 some class sizes will be upwards of 36 pupils. [20806/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe staffing of a primary school for a particular school year 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. The enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy at 30 September 2003 was, 374 pupils, which warrants a staffing of principal plus 13 mainstream posts for the 2004-05 school year.
The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils. School authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and the smallest classes is kept to a minimum. To ensure transparency and openness in the system an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. Details of the appeals procedure are outlined in Department primary circular 03/04.
205 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the inconsistency of allowing substitution for teachers who accompany school groups on educational trips. [20807/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraA scheme for paid supervision-substitution is currently operating in schools. The scheme provides significant improvements for schools, pupils and teachers in relation to arrangements for supervision and substitution by extending the normal substitution arrangements to cover absences on uncertified sick leave and certain other approved absences and by providing funding to schools to pay teachers already employed in the school to commit to and be paid for supervision and substitution over and above their normal class contact hours where qualified substitutes from outside the school are not available.
While there is a limit on the level of funding at school level the scheme is flexible and allows discretion at local level in order to cater for individual school needs.
