asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the following facts in regard to students at Collinstown Park Community College, Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 22: (a) that in recent tests for the 1989 intake a full 50 per cent of students were more than two years below their proper chronological reading age and that a further 20 per cent were between one and two years below their chronological reading age, (b) that this indicates that at least 10 per cent of children leaving local primary schools are totally illiterate, (c) that 25 per cent of the children are from one parent families and (d) that the parents of 63 per cent of the students are unemployed; if the figures above represent a major crisis in education both at first level and second level in the Ronanstown area; and if she will agree to the representations of the five Dáil Deputies for the area that this area be given absolute priority in educational terms; and the way in which she proposes to give effect to the necessary priority.
Written Answers. - Dublin School Test Results.
My Department, through its Psychological Service and with due regard to the recommendations of management authorities, maintain an ongoing review and assessment of the special educational needs of post-primary schools throughout the country, with particular reference to schools catering for disadvantaged pupils.
On the basis of such assessments, and proposals from the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee, my Department allocated an ex-quota remedial teacher post in respect of Collinstown Park Community College in July 1985 and a resource teacher post to cater for the needs of mildly handicapped pupils in August of the same year. In November 1986 my Department allocated a second resource teacher post in respect of Collinstown Park Community College. The assistance given to the school by my Department in the allocation of additional resources is readily acknowledged by the school authorities.
The question of providing a further resource teacher at the school is currently receiving attention in my Department.