Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her response to the request by a school (details supplied) in County Louth for an extra teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16764/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The matter referred to by the Deputy is currently being considered by my Department's inspectorate. The inspector has indicated that he will be visiting the school shortly to discuss the application with the school authorities.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will examine the need to appoint additional staff to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16766/05]

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 and by reference to a staffing schedule. This schedule is outlined in primary circular 15/05 which issued to all primary schools recently. This is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.

According to my Department's records, the school referred to by the Deputy had an enrolment of 191 pupils on 30 September 2004. On the basis of this enrolment, the appointment of two additional mainstream class teachers is warranted for the 2005-06 school year. Therefore, the mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will be a principal plus seven mainstream class teachers.