John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Tom Sheahan for raising this matter and apologise on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who could not be present. I am pleased to have the opportunity to clarify the position on the matter raised by the Deputy.

The Deputy will be aware that allocations to schools typically increase or decrease depending on pupil enrolment. In the case of special classes for pupils with a mild general learning disability, MGLD, the normal pupil teacher ratio that applies is 11:1. The Department of Education and Science, however, allows for a small reduction in this number and permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of nine pupils in the class. The school in question has three special classes for MGLD. A total enrolment of 31 is required to retain the three classes. The enrolment in the three classes as returned by the school in September 2008 was 21 pupils. The minimum enrolment required to retain the third class has therefore not been fulfilled and the school no longer qualifies to retain the third special class.

The school in question appealed the Department's decision to suppress the class. The Department has considered the appeal and has advised the school that the decision to suppress the third class remains.

See this speech in context