asked the Minister for Education (a) if he has received a request for the appointment of a remedial teacher on the staff of the Sacred Heart school in Drogheda, County Louth; (b) why a teacher recommended for this position both by the principal of the school and by the area psychologist was not given a place on the Department's course for remedial teachers in 1980-81; and (c) if he will ensure that this person is given a place on the Department's 1981-82 course.
Written Answers. - Drogheda Remedial Teacher.
8.
A request for the appointment of a teacher to engage in remedial education in the school in question was received in my Department. In this connection I would like to explain that in 1979-80 and 1980-81 the creation of 200 additional posts was authorised in second level schools over and above the normal allocation of teachers to cater specifically for remedial education. These posts were allocated in the areas of greatest need from among the applicant schools. It was not possible to include the Sacred Heart school, Drogheda in the allocation. Neither was it possible to include the teacher among the strictly limited number who could be accommodated on the course in remedial education.
It will be open to the manager of the school to make application for the inclusion of a staff member in any such course which may be notified to schools by my Department for the school year 1981-82. All such applications will be considered on their merits.