Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Hogan for raising this matter and will relay to the Minister the position he put forcefully. I thank him for this opportunity to outline to the House the position of the Department of Education and Science concerning staffing in primary schools, including Urlingford national school.

The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The number of mainstream posts is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is finalised for a particular school year following discussions with the education partners. The staffing schedule is set out in a circular which issues from the Department of Education and Science to all primary school boards of management. Accordingly, all boards are aware of the staffing position for their school in any school year.

Urlingford national school had an enrolment on 30 September 2003 of 196 pupils which warranted staffing for the 2004-05 school year of a principal and seven mainstream teachers. The school also has the service of a resource teacher and a shared learning support teacher. According to data submitted to the Department of Education and Science by the board of management, the enrolment of the school 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 in March 2005.

Urlingford national school is included in the rural dimension of Giving Children an Even Break. The school benefits from supplementary funding to provide additional educational supports for the children concerned. The Department has 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 my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, hopes to announce shortly.

I can confirm that the special education section of the Department has no outstanding applications for special needs resources from the school in question. However, if any applications for special needs resources are received, they will be considered in accordance with the Department's criteria.

I hope that is somewhat helpful. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, to keep Deputy Hogan informed of progress in this regard.

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