I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 32 together.
I consider that priority in the provision of remedial education must be given to schools on the basis of greatest need. To this end, my Department allocated some 237ex quota remedial posts in post-primary schools in the last ten years. A further 55 ex quota posts to be used either as remedial or guidance above ordinary guidance were also allocated by my Department. In addition, many post-primary schools employ teachers within their approval quotas who have been trained in the area of remedial education.
While there are no immediate proposals to allocate further ex quota remedial posts in post-primary schools, this is a matter which will be kept under review in the light of prevailing circumstances. In the meantime, any proposal from schools to share an existing ex quota remedial teacher will be favourably considered by my Department.