asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the Government's specific commitment to those with special needs in education, as outlined in The Programme for National Recovery, she will give an assurance that the number of remedial teachers in national schools will be increased, as the majority of primary schools do not have the services of remedial teachers, and as these teachers provide an invaluable service in identifying and helping to meet special educational needs.
Written Answers. - Remedial Teaching.
165.
Remedial needs of pupils are matters, in the first instance, for the class teacher. Available full time remedial posts are allocated only where remedial needs in a school are sufficiently acute to warrant such provision.
As outlined in the Programme for National Recovery a range of measures is in place to assist disadvantaged groups. In this connection the remedial scheme has been built up over a number of years. I am having a general review of the existing provision of remedial teaching carried out to ascertain if this provision is being delivered in the best possible way.