James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister to the House.

This matter concerns the urgent need for the Department of Education and Science to provide an update on the provision of a temporary teacher for St. Mary's national school, Drumlish, County Longford — roll No. 16665S. The position is urgently required to take account of the increased enrolment at this four-teacher school due to the proliferation of new housing in Drumlish. I am at a loss to understand the lack of action taken on this matter by the Department and its untoward delay in providing the school with a temporary teacher until the end of this school year, with a view to upgrading the post to a permanent one next September.

The principal and board of management made an application to the Department some time ago and parents at the school have signed a petition highlighting the overcrowding affecting their children's education. I have received numerous representations from parents, who are concerned for their children, and from the principal, Elizabeth Brady, the board of management and the teachers, who are providing top-quality education in extremely difficult circumstances.

There has been a great increase in the number of houses in Drumlish. Four new developments are already completed and almost 200 houses are now occupied. This has lead to increased demand for places at the school. There were 82 pupils enrolled at the school in 2003 and enrolment now stands at 118. This number is increasing and 120 are to be enrolled by Easter. However, despite the best efforts of the staff, the school is bursting at the seams, such that there is one class with 38 children and another with 31.

Implementing the new child-centred curriculum under such circumstances is extremely difficult. Class size represents the key challenge in the implementation of the curriculum. Smaller class sizes lead to more space for the individual pupils, increased one-to-one contact with teachers, better opportunities for children to engage in discussions and fewer distractions. The teacher becomes more familiar with pupils, can use innovative teaching techniques and has a greater opportunity to identify individual difficulties. Grouping of pupils is more difficult to achieve in large classes. Groups containing large numbers are less effective, whereas too many small groups make it is impossible for the teacher to allow sufficient time for every student.

Why is the Department of Education and Science continuing to turn a blind eye to the situation in St. Mary's, given the proven problems associated with large class sizes and the acknowledged benefits of a realistic pupil-teacher ratio? The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, contributed to yesterday's statements in this House on the Learning to Teach report, when she stated:

All the expenditure and activity in the education system is ultimately designed to benefit the pupils. Central to this is ensuring that the quality of the education they receive is second to none.

The Minister will have to admit that, given the appalling situation in St. Mary's national school, where two classes have 38 and 31 pupils, respectively, her statements will be taken with a grain of salt. Education is the key to our children's futures but closing the purse strings when it comes to the staff needed for dynamic and thriving schools such as St. Mary's is counter-productive. In County Longford, we are extremely proud of schools such as St. Mary's, which have opened their doors to all newcomers to the area, but I am deeply concerned that the Minister will permit them to become victims of their own success. I would welcome a positive response to my request.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Bannon for raising this matter today because it gives me the opportunity to outline the position of the Department of Education and Science. 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 to all primary school boards of management. Accordingly, all boards are aware of the staffing allowance for their schools in any school year.

Major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are currently 4,000 more primary teachers than in 2002, the average class size in our primary schools is 24 and one teacher is employed for every 17 pupils at primary level, including resource teachers. Children with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas are getting more support than ever before to help them make the most of their time at school. Given the thousands of extra primary teachers who have been hired by this Government, recent years have seen the largest expansion in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education. Furthermore, this Government is committed to providing even more primary teachers next year to reduce class sizes. All primary schools are staffed on a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Schools with only one or two teachers have much lower staffing ratios, some having as few as two teachers for 12 pupils, but the general rule is one classroom teacher for every 28 children in the school. Next September, this ratio will decrease to 27 children per classroom teacher. School authorities are requested to ensure the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking into account all relevant contextual factors, such as classroom accommodation and fluctuating enrolment. In particular, school authorities should ensure an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and keep to a minimum the differential between the largest and smallest classes.

A further initiative which has been of direct benefit to primary schools has been the change in the criteria for developing schools. For the current school year, the threshold for getting a developing school post was reduced specifically to help schools which are experiencing large annual increases in enrolments. More than 280 such posts were sanctioned in the 2006-07 school year, compared to 170 in 2005-06. The school to which the Senator referred had an enrolment on 30 September 2005 of 90 pupils, which warranted staffing for the 2006-07 school year of a principal and three mainstream teachers. The school also has the services of one temporary language support teacher and one permanent learning support and resource teacher. The board of management has submitted a report indicating that there were 112 pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September 2006. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2007-08 school year will be determined based on that figure and by reference to the staffing schedule for the 2007-08 school year. It is expected that this staffing schedule will issue to all primary schools before the end of March 2007.

To ensure openness in the teacher allocation system at primary level, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. This primary staffing appeals board has been in place since August 2002. I am sure the Senator will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for the Minister to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.

The improvements that have been made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled but this Government is determined to go even further, and the 2007 Estimates make provision for an additional 800 primary teachers. About 500 of these will be classroom teachers, which is evidence of our commitment to reduce class sizes. I assure the Senator this Government will continue to prioritise further improvements in school staffing and continue to focus on measures to improve the quality of education in primary schools to ensure increased resources lead to better outcomes for our children.

James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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All I am requesting is the appointment of a temporary teacher until September. Children receive only one chance at primary education but parents and staff are concerned that the pupils of the school are not getting a fair chance because the pupil-teacher ratio is too high.

The Minister of State might cut through the bureaucracy and red tape to appoint a temporary teacher until September, when the school will automatically qualify for an extra teacher. It is important that politicians deliver for their communities. In health, education and law and order, the system is top-heavy with bureaucracy but, as politicians, we have to be seen to cut through the red tape to deliver services. Mine is a simple request but it is a very important one for the children of the catchment area of Drumlish. I would be grateful if the Minister of State used his good offices to act on their behalf.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Some level of bureaucracy is necessary to ensure consistency, openness and accountability. The school has the services of one temporary language support teacher and one permanent learning support and resource teacher. The staffing schedule for the next academic year will issue to the school in March 2007. I will bring Senator Bannon's plea to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Hanafin.