Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 8

Written Answers. - Remedial Teacher.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

34 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a need for a full-time remedial teacher for St. Louis Infants' School, Monaghan, in view of the fact that the school has an enrolment in excess of 340; her views on the adequacy of one part-time remedial teacher teaching ten hours per week for this number of infants; if she will give a commitment to have a full-time remedial teacher sanctioned for this school; and, if so, when full-time remedial teaching will commence.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I have received an application for a full-time remedial teacher from the school in question.

The Programme for a Partnership Government made a specific commitment to the appointment of 500 additional remedial teachers by September 1996.

As a first step towards honouring this commitment, I have decided to appoint an additional 80 remedial teachers with effect from September, 1993. These posts will be allocated to individual and groups of schools on the basis of priority of need, as indicated by data collected from schools.

I am also arranging for a review of the appropriateness of the current distribution of remedial teachers, including those allocated on a shared basis.

The needs of the school mentioned by the Deputy will be considered in the context of these developments.