Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Ó Snodaigh stated, Deputies were half expecting the reply from the Minister of State. However, I also expected a little more understanding of the position in which the Assumption girls primary school finds itself and possibly some ideas on how to address the issue. The Minister of State indicated that the pupil-teacher ratio currently stands at 27:1. Fifth and sixth year students in the school will be taught in classes of 33, 32, 31 or 30 pupils, depending on how the teachers decide to move them around. It is horrendous that such circumstances are being accepted. Members of the appeals board should visit the school and carry out an assessment to determine whether it has made the correct decision.

The school does not have DEIS status and does not have access to the supports associated with such status, which many other schools in the area enjoy. To some degree, the school envies other schools in the area for the supports they have, although it also wishes them well. Teachers must deal with young girls arriving at schools with basketball and hockey gear, a change of clothes and so on. I ask for an opportunity to meet the Minister in the next 24 hours. The additional teacher should be maintained at least until further discussions are held. Members of the appeals board should visit the school before making a final decision in the matter.

The school has a right to feel let down by the system and the State. To leave 32 or 33 young girls in classrooms of 46.73 sq. m. is horrendous. I ask the Minister to revert to us with a more positive statement, for example, to inform us that a meeting will be arranged in the school next week or two. The additional teacher must be retained, if possible.

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