251 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science the qualifications of the supervisors currently employed in schools; the upper age limit for applicants; if they have within their power the right to expel students from a school; and the ratio of supervisors to pupils. [10842/02]

252 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost per week to date of the contingency plan for supervision and substitution; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many schools have over-run the budget provided to them; his views on whether this plan is not sustainable in the medium term due to escalating costs; his plans to negotiate a settlement with teachers to carry out this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10843/02]

253 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the huge burden of additional work imposed on principals and deputy principals in operating the contingency plan; the negative implications for the regular school work of principals and deputy principals; if he will make provision for administration of secretarial assistance by way of personnel or grant to avoid other essential work being neglected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10844/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 251, 252 and 253 together.

I am aware of the pressures on school managements in order to ensure that schools remain open after the ASTI directive to its members to withdraw from voluntary supervision and substitution duties, took effect on 4 March 2002.