Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a response will issue from him in relation to an issue (details supplied). [32645/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a response issued last week from my Department to the school on the issues to which he refers. I have previously advised the Deputy the position in relation to the provision of an administrative principal posts in special schools. The Report of the Special Education Review Committee outlines that an administrative principal post should be appointed in a special school at the point at which the six teacher (5th assistant) is about to be appointed to a school. My officials have previously outlined this position directly to the school in question which has an authorised staffing of 1 Principal and 3 full-time teachers.

Similarly my Department's ancillary services grant is based on the number of authorised full-time teaching staff approved for the school. The special school referred to by the Deputy receives an ancillary services grant of €24,050.00, based on its authorised staffing level. Circular Letter 25/02 outlines the number of days that teaching principals may take as release time in a school year. The On Line Claims System, through which schools record absences for teachers, allows Principal Release Time to be recorded only in accordance with Circular Letter 25/02 based on the mainstream class teachers in the school.