Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will facilitate the making permanent of teaching staff in a special teaching unit at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in order to ensure that continuity is maintained for the students of the unit, and the general administration of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32441/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts at second level is a matter for individual school authority subject to agreed procedures.

Teacher allocations for second level schools are approved by my Department on an annual basis in accordance with generally applied rules based on recognised pupil enrolments on the 30th of September of the preceding school year.

The pupil teacher ratio at second level has improved significantly in recent years. The ratio fell from 16:1 to 13.2:1 during the period from 1996/97 to 2005/2006.

In line with Government policy, my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil teacher ratio within available resources and subject to spending priorities within the education sector. Priority will be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas.