Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the size of two classes at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6; the reason the classes are so out of line with the average class size; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5226/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September in the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.

The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and 13 mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 372 pupils on 30 September 2003. The school also has a learning support post, three resource posts and two temporary language support posts.

The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils, which is the case in this school. School authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and the smallest classes is kept to a minimum. I have requested my Department's inspectorate to monitor the deployment of staff and class sizes and, where necessary, to discuss with school authorities the basis on which school policy decisions in this regard have been made, and to report to my Department, where appropriate.