Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2007
195 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will put extra supports in place in schools for children with Roma backgrounds, similar to supports for Irish Traveller pupils, in particular in a school (details supplied) in County Clare. [7006/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mainstream staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30th September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule for the 2006/07 school year is outlined in Primary Circular 0023/2006 which was issued to all primary schools. In the current school year (2006/07) the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises of an Administrative Principal and 6 mainstream class teaching posts based on an enrolment of 157 pupils at 30th September, 2005 as submitted by the Board of Management of the school. The school also has 2 Learning Support/Resource Teachers, 1 Permanent Resource Teacher for Travellers and 3 Temporary Language Support Posts. The language support posts have been allocated to the school in order to meet the language needs of students, including the Roma children, in the school whose first language is not English. The Board of Management has submitted a report indicating that there were 179 pupils enrolled in the school on the 30th September 2006. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2007/08 school year will be determined on that figure and in accordance with the staffing schedule for the 2007/2008 school year which will be finalised as soon as possible.
