Uimhir:233, 234

Ceist Pharlaiminte

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíoctha

To the Minister for Education and Science

To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools both

primary and post primary in County Clare who have applied in 2008 for an

additional teacher; if these appointments will be made; and if she will make a

statement on the matter.

- Pat Breen.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has plans to

reduce the number of teachers currently employed in primary and post primary

schools in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

-Pat Breen.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 12th March, 2008.

Reference Number: 10876/08, 10877/08

Freagra

Minister for Education and Science (Mary Hanafin, T.D.)

I propose to take questions 233 & 234 together.

The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the

enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The

actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a

staffing schedule which is issued to all primary school Boards of Management

each year. Accordingly, all Boards are aware of the staffing position for their

school in any school year.

The staffing schedule for the 2008/2009 school year (Circular 0010/2008) was

recently published on my Department’s website at www.education.ie and a hard

copy is in the process of issue to all primary schools.

Within the terms of the staffing arrangements for primary schools there is

provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be

assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school

year. Under these arrangements, a developing school post may be sanctioned

provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30th September of the school

year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure

is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.

Application for such posts can be made to my Department on or before 10

October, 2008.

An independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on

mainstream staffing in primary schools. Details of the criteria and application

dates for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule. The criteria for

appeal are also set out in Circular 0024/2007 (Appeal Board for Mainstream

Staffing in Primary Schools) which is available on my Department’s website.

The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is

final.

Teacher allocations for second level schools are approved by my Department on

an annual basis in accordance with generally applied rules relating to

recognised pupil enrolment. In general a ratio of 18:1 is applied in respect of

recognised pupils on established Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate,

repeat Leaving Certificate and Transition Year Programmes and a ratio of 16:1

is applied in respect of recognised pupils on the Leaving Certificate

Vocational Programme, Post leaving Cert courses and Leaving Cert Applied.

Each second level school management authority is required to organise its

curriculum, teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils’

needs within the limits of its approved teacher allocation.

The rules for allocating second level teaching posts provide that where a

school management authority is unable to meet essential curricular commitments,

my Department will consider applications for additional short term support. An

independent Appeals Committee is available to second level school authorities

who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.