Dáil Éireann - Volume 508 - 06 October, 1999

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Mr. Wall Mr. Wall

241. Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of vacancies for primary school teachers in Kildare in 1999; the number of untrained personnel used to alleviate the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19244/99]

Mr. Martin Mr. Martin

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin): As the Deputy may be aware the appointment of teachers is a matter for the board of management of each individual school and, therefore, my Department would not have details of the number of vacancies for each school in County Kildare.

A number of primary schools throughout the country employed teachers in a temporary capacity for short periods in September 1999 pending the appointment of permanent teachers. A total of 67 such teachers in County Kildare were paid at the untrained rate by my Department. It should be noted, however, that in some cases the untrained rate was paid pending an assessment of the teacher's qualifications.

Mr. Wall Mr. Wall

242. Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when a second teacher will be appointed to Kilkea national school, Castledermot, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19245/99]

Mr. Martin Mr. Martin

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin): The authorised staffing of Kilkea national school for the 1999-2000 school year is a principal and one mainstream class teacher based on an enrolment of 18 pupils on 30 September 1998. This is an increase of one mainstream class teacher on the staffing for the 1998-99 school year.

The school was informed they were entitled to an additional post by way of Department Circular 5/99 which issued to all schools in April 1999.

Mr. Naughten Mr. Naughten

243. Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of remedial teachers serving a single school; the number of such teachers serving clusters of two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight schools; the plan, if any, he has to reduce the size of these clusters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19246/99]

Mr. Martin Mr. Martin

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin): As a result of the recent extension of the remedial teacher service to all primary schools, a total of 1,463 full-time remedial teachers are now in place in the primary system. Details of the number of schools served by the teachers in question are as follows.

1370

[1370]

Each remedial teacher allocation, including those operating on a shared basis, is designed to involve a case load which is in line with the recommendations of the special education review committee. My Department will continue to monitor these allocations to ensure an effective delivery of service.

All second level schools have their own remedial teacher service. A total 560 whole-time equivalent posts are involved.

Dáil Éireann 508 Written Answers. School Staffing.

Questions

19991006