Vol. 421 No. 6
41 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if he will reduce the pupil-teacher ratio from 15:1 to 10:1 in special classes for travellers on the appointment of special resource teachers for travellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have no plans at present to reduce the pupil teacher ratio in special classes for travellers. The reduced pupil teacher ratio of 15:1 applicable in such cases is considered adequate to meet the special needs of the children in question.
There are no plans at present to appoint special resource teachers for travellers. However, a number of important initiatives are being taken in relation to the educational needs of traveller children. These include the allocation of four of the additional teacher posts which became available under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to augment existing services for traveller children.
One of these new posts is being assigned to a newly created position of National Education Officer for Traveller Children, whose function is to promote, facilitate and co-ordinate the education of traveller children on a national basis. The remaining three posts are being used to expand the number of visiting teachers for travellers from 6 to 9.
