Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an extra teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Cavan by September 2005; her views on whether it is unfair that a teacher be asked to deal with 35 pupils aged nine and ten from three different classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16578/05]

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 of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which 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 three mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 105 pupils on 30 September 2003. The enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 113 pupils. Based on this figure the average class size in the current school year is 28.

The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring a maximum average class size in the school of 29. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use their teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes.

Based on the enrolment on 30 September 2004 of 113 pupils, the mainstream staffing for the school year 2005-06 will remain at a principal and three mainstream class teachers.

The schedule referred to previously can only be deviated from when a school experiences rapid growth in its enrolment. Rapid growth is defined as an increase in its enrolment in one year relative to the previous year of 25 pupils plus a stipulated excess of five pupils on the appointment figure. In order for the school concerned to be considered for developing school status, it would require a minimum enrolment of 138 pupils on 30 September 2005. If the board of management of the school feels that the enrolment of the school will increase to a minimum of 138 pupils by 30 September 2005, it may apply for a post under the developing schools criteria as outlined in Department circular 15/05 which issued to all boards of management recently.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any staffing appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary circular 19/02 which is available on my Department's website. The appeals board will meet in June to consider appeals on the mainstream teaching allocation to schools for the 2005-2006 school year.

The closing date for appeals is 3 June 2005. Appeals must be submitted to primary payments section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made. The application form is available from the primary payments section, or on my Department's website.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of two-teacher national schools in the country; the number of these schools which have a classroom assistant; the number of two-teacher schools which will lose resource teachers under the new weighted system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16579/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm for the Deputy that there are approximately 553 two-teacher primary schools in the country. Of these, 154 schools currently have special needs assistant support, SNA support, as follows: 123 schools have one SNA; 30 schools have two SNAs; and one school has three SNAs.

It is not possible at this stage to indicate the resource teaching position in two-teacher schools following the introduction of the new general allocation system. I trust the Deputy is aware that my Department has now completed its review of the general allocation system of resource teaching support. The new model replaces that which was notified to schools in June 2004, which has been reviewed to take account of difficulties that it may have caused for smaller schools.

I can confirm that 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September to facilitate the implementation of the new general allocation system. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system.

My Department is now devising school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the general allocation system. These will be notified to schools shortly along with the details of each school's individual allocation. This communication will clarify the position regarding the resource allocation available to the schools referred to by the Deputy. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a primary school (details supplied) in County Kerry will retain its existing resource teacher under the new weighting system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16580/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I trust the Deputy is aware that my Department has now completed its review of the general allocation system of resource teaching support. The new model replaces that which was notified to schools in June 2004, which has been reviewed to take account of difficulties that it may have caused for smaller schools.

I can confirm that 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September to facilitate the implementation of the new general allocation system. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system.

My Department is now devising school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the general allocation system. These will be notified to schools shortly along with the details of each school's individual allocation. This communication will clarify the position regarding the resource allocation available to the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.