Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005
516 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the enrolments and teacher allocation over the past five years to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if she will review a decision to withdraw a classroom assistant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20623/05]
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, as well as to a staffing schedule, which is outlined in Primary Circular 15/05 which was issued to all primary schools recently. This system is in line with the guidelines agreed between the Department of Education and Science and the education partners.
The staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2000-01 school year consisted of a principal and 14 mainstream class teachers, based on an enrolment of 413 pupils on 30 September 1999, and one learning support post. Its staffing for the 2001-02 school year consisted of a principal and 14 mainstream class teachers, based on an enrolment of 371 pupils on 30 September 2000, and one learning support post and the services of a resource post based in the school. Its staffing for the 2002-03 school year consisted of a principal and 13 mainstream class teachers, based on an enrolment of 370 pupils on 30 September 2001, and one learning support post and the services of a resource post based in the school. Its staffing for the 2003-04 school year consisted of a principal and 13 mainstream class teachers, based on an enrolment of 356 pupils on 30 September 2002, and one learning support post and the services of a resource post based in the school.
In the current school year, the staffing of the school consists of a principal and 12 mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 328 pupils on 30 September 2003. It also has a learning support post and the services of a shared resource post based in the school. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and 11 mainstream class teaching posts, based on an enrolment of 311 pupils on 30 September 2004.
The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils. If some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use a school's teaching resources to facilitate smaller numbers in other classes. School authorities should ensure there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes. The differential between the largest and smallest classes should be kept to a minimum. To ensure openness and transparency in the system, an independent appeals board is in place to decide on any appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in the Department's Primary Circular 19/02.
The board of management of the school in question has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeals board under developing school criteria. As the relevant application form outlined, the appeal will be considered by the appeals board at its meeting of October 2005. The board of management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible thereafter. I am sure the Deputy appreciates that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
