227 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concern among parents and the board of management in relation to the proposal to reduce the teaching staff complement by one at Ballyconnell national school, County Cavan; if she will reverse this decision in view of the need to retain the existing number of teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12861/97]

As the Deputy is aware, the staffing of a national school for a particular year is determined by the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The enrolment of Ballyconnell national school on 30 September 1996 was 117 pupils. This enrolment warrants a staffing of a principal and three assistant teachers for the 1997-98 school year.

In the circumstances, the fourth assistant's post at the school will be suppressed at the end of the current school year.

I should remind the Deputy, however, that since I took office I have reduced the pupil teacher ratio at primary level from 25.2 to 1 to 22.2 to 1 in the current school year.