Vol. 432 No. 1
45 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education the outcome of the major survey of schools in the north side of Cork city undertaken by her predecessor; and the action, if any, which will be taken arising out of the findings of that survey.
The survey to which the Deputy refers was carried out by the Northside Research and Development Company as part of its role in developing strategies aimed at addressing educational disadvantage in the north side area of Cork city.
I understand that the survey revealed a high incidence of pupils leaving primary school with serious literacy and numeracy problems. There were also significant indications of older pupils leaving school without formal qualifications.
I am of course concerned at the picture of educational disadvantage presented by this survey and I can assure the Deputy of my commitment to addressing such need wherever it arises.
In this regard, I would refer to a number of initiatives which I have already taken and which are targeted specifically at areas of educational disadvantage.
As recently announced to the House, I have approved the appointment of an additional 86 remedial teachers at primary level with effect from September next. The Deputy will wish to note that 11 of these posts are being allocated to the Cork area and will result in the extension of the remedial service to a further 38 schools in that area. As a result of this allocation, 79 per cent of primary school children in Cork will have access to a remedial service.
