Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

712. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Louth was allocated a second deputy principal for the 2014-15 academic year; if this is a permanent post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23379/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.Under these arrangements an ex-quota Deputy Principal Post is allocated to each post primary school with an enrolment of at least 500 recognised pupils (such posts are filled in-quota in smaller schools). A second ex-quota Deputy Principal post is allocated to each school with a minimum enrolment of 1,000 or more recognised pupils or in DEIS schools with a minimum enrolment of 900 or more recognised pupils.

At post primary level and in accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e., curricular concessions. Short term support is needed (normally for one year but not exceeding 2/3 school years) to enable the school authority to respond to the identified problem.

As part of the curricular concession process, school management can apply for a Deputy Principal concession in cases whereby a schools enrolment is falling under or moving close to the Deputy Principal threshold. The school referred to by the Deputy was granted a concessionary Deputy Principal post in 2014/15 school year. The post will continue for the coming school year.