Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the case of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 where the numbers enrolled for September 2009 will warrant an allocation of eight mainstream class teachers and a full-time administrative principal but where unlike other years the school authorities have been informed that the eight mainstream teachers cannot be appointed until the enrolment figures are confirmed on 30 September 2009; and if, in view of the disruption which this will cause, he will sanction this appointment from 1 September 2009. [26266/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and an integrated School Support Programme (SSP). DEIS brings together and builds upon a number of existing interventions in schools with concentrated levels of disadvantage.

Schools which qualify for the Urban Strand (Band 1 and 2) of the SSP under DEIS are entitled to the allocation of administrative principals on lower enrolment and staffing figures than apply in primary schools generally. The criteria for such appointments are as follows:

The enrolment figure for the appointment and retention of administrative principals in urban/town primary schools participating in the SSP is 145 pupils in ordinary schools and 125 in Gaelscoileanna (Principal plus 5 mainstream teachers). This will facilitate the principal becoming an administrative principal. In such instances, a permanent mainstream class teacher may be appointed to replace the principal.

Alternatively, Principal teachers in urban/town primary schools participating in the SSP under DEIS, with an enrolment of fewer than 145 pupils in ordinary schools and 125 in Gaelscoileanna but with a staffing of principal plus seven or more teachers when all ex-quota posts are counted may be appointed as administrative principals. In such instances, a permanent mainstream class teacher may be appointed to replace the principal.

As the school referred to by the Deputy does not meet the staffing requirement outlined, the allocation of an administrative principal under DEIS cannot be approved from 1 September 2009. However the position will be reviewed on confirmation that the school warrants the allocation of a developing school post and a general allocation post which are both dependent on the school's actual enrolment on 30 September 2009.