Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004
462 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the exceptional circumstances, she will re-examine the decision to reduce the staff of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 by one teacher based on the pupil numbers of 85 on 30 September 2004 and in view of the fact that two weeks later the school had the required 87 pupils to retain its full staff complement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27037/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The agreement referred to above can only be deviated from where a school experiences rapid growth in its enrolment. In such cases, an additional post, referred to as a developing school post, may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30 September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30 September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.
The enrolment in the school referred to by the Deputy at 30 September 2003 was 59 pupils, which warrants a staffing of principal plus two mainstream posts for the 2004-05 school year. On the basis of projected enrolments, a developing school post was approved provisionally. However, the required enrolment figure at 30 September 2004 was not achieved and accordingly sanction for the post was withdrawn.
To ensure transparency and openness in the system, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The staffing of the school in question for the 2004-05 school year was considered by the appeals board on 21 October 2004. The board, having considered the appeal with regard to the criteria outlined in Department Circular 19/02, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule is not warranted in this case. The board of management of the school was notified of the decision of the appeals board on 21 October 2004. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
463 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to ensure that resource teachers are not removed from national schools with disadvantaged status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27038/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra477 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if small acutely disadvantaged inner city schools (details supplied) will each lose a resource teacher while larger schools in affluent areas, two national schools in Foxrock will between them gain up to seven resource teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27153/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 477 together.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed mechanism for allocating resource teachers to primary schools, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed.
Accordingly, I will be reviewing the proposed model to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs, borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability, and those with learning support needs, that is, functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and-or mathematics. The proposed model will obviate the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensure that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented next year.
464 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has proposals for reviewing the supply of resource teachers for primary schools. [27046/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra465 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has proposals for reviewing the learning support resources for primary schools; and if she will commit herself to ensuring that primary schools in rural areas are allocated adequate numbers of resource teachers and adequate learning support resources. [27047/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed mechanism for allocating resource teachers to primary schools, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed.
Accordingly, I will be reviewing the proposed model to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs, borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability, and those with learning support needs, i.e. functioning at or below the 10th percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics. The proposed model will obviate the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensure that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented next year.
