Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full year cost of appointing 350 assistant principal posts. [51129/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The recently published Circular 0063/2017 "Leadership and Management in Primary schools" sets out a framework for promotion posts in recognised primary schools.

The commencement of the restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model means that the rigidity of the longstanding moratorium on these posts has been lifted and all primary schools can now fill middle management posts in line with circular 0063/2017. This recognises the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable.

The annual allowance payable in respect of these middle-management posts are as follows:

Assistant Principal I - €8,520

Assistant Principal II - €3,769

Approx. 2600 additional posts of responsibility have been provided for at primary and post-primary level in 2017/18.

Budgets 2016 and 2017 provided an additional 420 Deputy Principal posts in the post primary sector.

Discussions are ongoing with the post primary education partners with the view to agreement and publication of a circular as soon as possible.