Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that a gael scoil or Gaeltacht school can obtain an administrative principal post with 158 children while other national schools require 179 children; the reason this distinction is made in terms of the staffing schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8533/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department at individual school level for any school year is the pupil enrolment at the previous 30 September. The enrolment is applied to a staffing schedule which issues annually from my Department.

Administrative principal status in primary schools applies on the appointment of the 7th mainstream class teacher. Under the current staffing schedule for ordinary and Gaeltacht schools the enrolment warranted for the appointment of the 7th mainstream teacher is 179 pupils. The corresponding enrolment under the staffing schedule for Gaelscoileanna is 158 pupils.

The Deputy will be aware that there are a range of measures in place in the education sector to promote Irish which includes a more favourable staffing schedule in Gaelscoileanna. The relevant staffing schedules are available on my Department's website.