Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position relating to the one teacher schools support group which is anxious to have another adult employed in each one teacher school to safeguard the health and safety of all members of the school community; if this request will be sanctioned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37043/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the current staffing schedule for primary schools, an enrolment of 12 recognised pupils at the end of September 2004 is required for the employment of a principal and one mainstream classroom teacher. However, the provisional enrolment figures, which have been submitted to my Department, indicate that a minimum of 12 recognised pupils were enrolled in a number of schools which currently have one teacher and, on this basis, the schools concerned would qualify for the appointment of a mainstream teacher in 2006.

Following detailed consideration of the position of these schools, I am pleased to inform you the Deputy that, as an entirely exceptional matter, I have decided that a mainstream class teacher may be appointed in those schools immediately rather than with effect from 1 September 2006, which is the position which would normally apply in these circumstances. The boards of management of the schools concerned are being notified accordingly. A detailed review of the position of the schools with less than 12 pupils is being undertaken and will be completed as speedily as possible.

In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils. The safety statement should be reviewed on a regular basis.