Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 277 of 3 November 2004, the position regarding the restoration of a second teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [17033/05]

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

In the current school year, the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises a principal. That is based on an enrolment of seven pupils at 30 September 2003.

The enrolment of the school on 30 September 2004 was 12 pupils and, based on that enrolment, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and one mainstream class teaching post.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the allocation for a school (details supplied) in County Offaly under the weighted system; when it will be formally notified of this allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17045/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be 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.

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 has devised school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the general allocation system. Those have recently been notified to schools, where appropriate, along with the details of each school's individual allocation. The general allocation for the school referred to by the Deputy is 0.7 of a post. In addition, it has received a transitional allocation of 0.2 of a post to cater for the needs of individual pupils with high-incidence disabilities. 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 the circular be issued before the end of the current school year.