Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2019
139. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a concessionary post of administrative principal will be approved for schools (details supplied); the progress to date in respect of each school; the timeframe for a final decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11664/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The criteria for the appointment of an administrative principal to a school, which are enrolment related, are set out in Appendix B of Circular 0019/2019. There is no scope to deviate from these arrangements.
The enrolment required for the appointment of an administrative principal in ordinary schools such as the schools referred to by the Deputy is 176 pupils on 30th September 2018. As the enrolment of the schools referred to by the Deputy was less than this on that date, neither school meets the requirements for an administrative principal for the 2019/20 school year.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
In Budget 2019, school leadership is again supported with an additional release day for teaching principals in primary schools and a further four additional release days for teaching principals in schools with special classes. These additional release days will be effective from 1st September 2019.
