Eamon Gilmore
Question:130 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education when the service of visiting teachers for travellers will be extended to cover the entire country.
Written Answers. - Visiting Teachers for Travellers.
The creation of additional visiting teacher posts in a particular year depends upon the teaching resources which can be made available in that year.
In 1991, three additional posts of visiting teacher for traveller children were allocated as part of arrangements under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. This brings the total of such visiting teachers in the country to nine. In addition, a new post of National Education Officer for Travellers was sanctioned.
Three hundred teaching posts were provided this year under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. By agreement with concerned interests, all of these posts were used to reduce class sizes and, accordingly, it was not possible to allocate further posts of visiting teacher for travellers.
When additional resources become available, the need to provide such posts will be considered.