Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current allocation of hours for home-school liaison, guidance and counselling and pastoral care in respect of the proposed amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in Dublin; the corresponding figures post-amalgamation; her views on the adequacy of this provision in view of the socio-economic profile of Ballymun; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18511/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Under these arrangements, my Department makes a specific enrolment based ex-quota allocation in respect of guidance. Based on the enrolment in the school concerned, an allocation of one whole-time equivalent post for guidance has been granted. I have recently announced the allocation of 100 additional posts for guidance from the commencement of the 2005-06 school year. A circular outlining the improved arrangements for guidance provision in second level schools was recently issued by my Department. A further allocation of eight hours per week for guidance will be granted to the school concerned on foot of this expansion.

In regard to chaplaincy posts, each community and comprehensive school is allocated one ex-quota chaplain post which is filled on the nomination of the relevant religious authority. The current home school community liaison, HSCL, allocation will be retained by the new amalgamated school as an exceptional matter and will be kept under review subject to enrolment and in the context of the implementation of the new action plan for educational inclusion — DEIS — which I launched on Monday, 30 May 2005. The action plan's core elements comprise a standardised system for identifying and regularly reviewing levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme, SSP, which will bring together and build on the success of existing programmes, while addressing the issues that have diluted the overall effectiveness of some measures. The new action plan will be introduced on a phased basis starting in the next school year and will involve an additional annual investment of €40 million on full implementation. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system, which includes extending access to the HSCL service for the 150 second level schools participating in the school support programme.

The rules for allocating teaching resources also provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments, my Department will consider applications for additional short term support. An independent appeals mechanism is available to school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation. The school in question applied to my Department for a curricular concession allocation and was allocated 7.22 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. The school was notified of this allocation on 10 May 2005 and advised that, in the event of its not being satisfied with this allocation, it could appeal in writing to the independent appeals committee. To date, the school has not availed of the independent appeals mechanism.

Additional resources to cater for the needs of Traveller and non-national pupils will also be considered by my Department upon application by the school authority. It is also open to the school authority to apply to the national council for special education for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support to cater for the special educational needs of pupils enrolled.

The total teaching staff allocation granted to the school for the 2005-06 school year is 62.18 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. Having regard to the number of pupils enrolled at the school, I am satisfied that the level of teaching resources made available represents an adequate response which is fully in line with allocations generally in the second level system.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the enrolment situation of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; her views on the situation; the steps she intends to take to remedy the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18512/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The general allocation system is based on mainstream pupil enrolments for the 2003-04 school year. Pupils attending special classes and Traveller pupils in receipt of support from a resource teacher for Travellers do not fall within the general allocation model as separate staffing arrangements apply in these cases. This position was confirmed in my Department's letter of 18 May which issued to all schools. My Department will arrange to examine the school's position in regard to developing school status and my officials will make further contact with the school in this regard shortly.