Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will appoint an additional teacher to a national school (details supplied) in County Cork where there are currently seven teachers teaching eight classes; and if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties this is causing for the class which is divided into two other classes. [24201/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. The staffing schedule for the 2006/07 school year is outlined in Primary Circular 23/06 which issued to all primary schools recently.

The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils. 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 their teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes. Next year this is being reduced to 28 children per classroom teacher and in 2007/2008 it will be reduced to 27 children per classroom teacher. School authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and the smallest classes is kept to a minimum.

In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises of a Principal and seven mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 180 pupils at 30 September, 2004. The school also has two Permanent Learning Support-Resource posts and one Temporary Learning Support-Resource post.

The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2006/2007 school year will remain at a Principal and seven mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 190 pupils at 30 September, 2005.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the proposed changes to the staffing schedule and appointment figures for teachers and principals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24209/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy can be found in Circular 0023/2006 which is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. Hard copies of this circular issued to all primary schools in March 2006.