Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of mainstream teachers in each primary school in County Roscommon and in County Leitrim; the projected number in each school in the 2009-10 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and would involve an inordinate amount of time to compile.

In terms of the staffing implications at individual school level for the 2009/10 school year, schools are currently returning data to my Department in relation to their enrolment as of 30 September. My Department has commenced processing this data although all schools have not yet made their returns. The allocation process including notification to schools will commence early in the New Year. The allocation process includes appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The final allocation to a school is also a function of the operation of the redeployment panels which provide for the retention of a teacher in an existing school if a new post is not available within the agreed terms of the scheme.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to address the concerns of a teacher (details supplied) in County Waterford in regard to the budget 2009 proposed cutbacks in education, in particular in regard to the substitution scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38406/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the Education budget for 2009, in making the announcement of the Budget measures for education I stressed that tough choices had to be made in meeting the needs of the education sector in these difficult times. The resources available to the Department have meant that these choices have been very challenging. The decision made to suspend the substitution cover was a difficult one.

The provision of substitute cover for official school business at second level was only introduced in 2003. The supervision/ substitution scheme was also introduced at that time. The supervision substitution scheme will continue to operate without any changes and teachers who agree to participate will continue to receive an annual payment of €1,789 in addition to their normal salary.

Prior to 2003 schools managed without any of this provision and this did not impede on their capacity to participate for example in football and other sports competitions. I fully accept this was possible through flexibility and goodwill all round.

As we manage through this difficult period I am asking teachers in all schools to co-operate fully with school managers in coping with this change in the interest of the students. I am also requesting the school managerial bodies to ensure that the supervision substitution scheme is operated with maximum effectiveness in all schools.