Written answers

Tuesday, 8 November 2005

Department of Education and Science

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

8:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 674: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the pupil-teacher ratio and class size at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; her plans to increase same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33198/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by applying the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year to a staffing schedule, which is issued annually to all primary schools. The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. 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 teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes.

The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2005-06 school year is a principal and 21 mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 588 pupils on 30 September 2004. The school also has three permanent learning support resource posts, two permanent special class posts and two temporary language support posts. To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department Primary Circular 19/02 which is also available on my Department's website.

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