Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 248: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to correct an inequality, which has arisen, in relation to the allocation of special needs and learning support teachers, under the new general allocation system, to a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if the allocation will be restored to this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18883/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware the review of the general allocation system has now been completed. 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 and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.

My Department has devised school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the general allocation system. This information has been notified to schools, where appropriate, along with the details of each school's individual allocation. The general allocation for the school in question is 12.5 hours. In addition, the school has received one post and 15 part-time hours under transitional arrangements to cater for the needs of individual pupils with high incidence disabilities until such time as these pupils leave the school.

I can confirm that this school received a teaching allocation based on its status as a mixed school, that is, the first post is allocated at 145:1. Schools whose allocations are based on 80:1 are those disadvantaged schools that are specifically eligible for additional staffing under the urban dimension of the Giving Children an Even Break scheme. This school is not eligible for such additional staffing and therefore it does not qualify for the 80:1 ratio.

My Department is finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. This circular will issue before the end of the current school year.