Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 462: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the need to retain administrative non-teaching staff at a special learning school (details supplied) in County Laois having regard to the number of high dependence students attending the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter in the context of the budget 2009 proposals. [37900/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware the staffing of a special school is determined by reference to the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Special Education Review Committee, 1993, also known as the SERC Report. In accordance with SERC, the staffing level in the school in question should be a teaching principal and two class teachers. In recognition of the extent of planning work associated with setting up a new school, my Department permitted the principal to operate in an administrative capacity to ensure the successful establishment of the school. The school is now well established and the administrative status of the principal was discontinued for the 2008/2009 school year when the principal has returned to teaching duties.

My Department initially advised the school of this arrangement in a letter dated 16th August, 2007. However, in recognition of the complexity of the special educational needs of the pupils in the school, the National Council for Special Education has approved a temporary teacher in the school for the 2008/2009 school year.

The overall number of teaching staff in the school for the 2008/2009 school year will therefore remain the same as in 2007/2008. The staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2008/2009 school year is a Teaching Principal, two permanent mainstream class teachers, one temporary classroom teacher and 10 special needs assistants to cater for fourteen pupils.

The recent budgetary announcements do not affect the criteria used for the allocation of additional teaching and care resources for children with special educational needs.