Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004
409 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the class size at a school (details supplied) will be examined with a view to improving the pupil-teacher ratio and other supports, which the school might need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32429/04]
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. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners. The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils.
The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and seven mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 196 pupils on 30 September 2003. The school also has a resource post and a shared learning support post. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management the enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 197 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule, which is expected to be notified to boards of management early in 2005.
This school is included in the rural dimension of Giving Children an Even Break. The school is benefiting from supplementary funding to provide additional educational supports for the children concerned. My Department has been engaged in an overall review of its educational disadvantage programmes with a view to building on what has been achieved to date, adopting a more systematic, targeted and integrated approach and strengthening the capacity of the system to meet the educational needs of disadvantaged children and young people. Any decision to expand or extend any of the initiatives aimed at addressing educational disadvantage is being considered in the context of this review, the outcome of which I hope to announce shortly.
The special education section of my Department has no outstanding applications for special educational needs, SEN, resources from the school in question. However, if any applications for SEN resources are received they will be considered in accordance with the Department's criteria.
