Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 426: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools in the country that have seen an increase in their enrolment since 2003; when the General Allocation for Learning Support was determined in respect of the number of hours per school; the reason that those schools which have seen an increase in their enrolment since 2003 cannot obtain additional resource hours under the general allocation model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13776/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is an extensive amount of statistical information for recent years on my Department's website in relation to primary schools, including the enrolment for all primary schools for the school years 2006/07 to 2008/09.

The level of detail sought by the Deputy would take some time to collate within my Department. My Department's Teacher Allocation Section is currently focused on the initial work for the allocation of staffing for the coming school year and I do not propose to divert them from this work at this key time in the allocation process.

The General Allocation model was introduced in primary schools in September 2005 to ensure that each school has learning support/resource teaching support available to meet the needs of children with high incidence special educational needs. The allocation to schools is however enhanced in the case of schools experiencing large increases in enrolment and which satisfy the conditions under my Department's Developing School Criteria.

The review of the General Allocation is at an advanced stage and is being considered within my Department.