Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 1

Written Answers. - Limerick School Teacher Posts.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

28 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education if she will appoint two concessionary teachers for the Presentation Primary School, Roxboro, Limerick in view of the exceptional level of disadvantage among many of the pupils of the school as a result of which unusually severe problems are faced by the school.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The school referred to by the Deputy is included in the Scheme of Assistance for Schools in Designated Areas of Disadvantage, and as such has been allocated an additional ex-quota teaching post and receives supplementary capitation funding amounting to £17 per pupil.

It is included in the Home/School/ Community Liaison scheme and shares the services of a local co-ordinator with another school.

The school also has the services of two remedial teachers.

The Programme for a Partnership Government attaches particular importance to the need to address educational disadvantage in its variety of forms and the Deputy will be aware of my intention to target extra resources in this area.

I have already announced in the House that I will be allocating additional ex-quota teaching posts to primary schools in areas of disadvantage.

It is intended that 50 of these posts will be allocated to schools not previously included in the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Additional posts will be devoted to supplementing the supports currently provided to schools already covered by the scheme.

The needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered in this latter context.