Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 471: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the dangerous circumstances in which pupils and teachers in one-teacher schools find themselves, she will appoint an additional staff member to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary and to the other 19 one-teacher primary schools in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37993/05]

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

The mainstream teacher allocation of all primary schools, including one-teacher schools, is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The staffing schedule is outlined in a circular which is issued annually to all primary schools.

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 the 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 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 recognised pupils is being undertaken and will be completed as speedily as possible.

With regard to the particular school referred to by the Deputy, the position is that the enrolment in the school at the end of September 2004 was 14 and, on this basis, the school has a staffing of a principal and one mainstream class teacher for the 2005-06 school year.