asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her present policy in regard to assigning extra assistants to schools for the purposes of helping class teachers to meet the remedial needs of children, the number of such special assistants who have been appointed; and the qualifications required for same.
Written Answers. - Remedial Teaching.
368.
Providing for remedial needs of pupils in a class is part of the normal work of the class teacher. Where, in a school or group of schools, there is a substantial number of pupils with significant remedial needs, my Department are prepared to consider an application for approval of an additional post of remedial teacher. The number of such posts, which may be allocated at any particular time is subject to resourcing considerations. However, in accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department is currently considering what additional provision for approval of remedial teaching posts may be made at the present time.
At present, a total of 857 such posts have been approved in national schools. Remedial teachers are required to be qualified national teachers. No additional qualifications are prescribed but courses are conducted on an in-service basis for such teachers.