The decision to allocate a shared remedial teacher between St. Paul's national school and the Central Model School Senior, was based on an assessment of the level or remedial need in the schools in question. The placement of teachers on the transfer panel is a separate issue which arises where ordinary enrolment numbers in a school decline below a specific level. Such is the case in the Central Model School, where the decline in enrolments is such that the intention of the fourth assistant is no longer justified.
The mechanism by which problems of socio-economic disadvantage are addressed is the disadvantaged areas scheme. Under this scheme, schools designated as disadvantaged receive concessionary teaching posts and additional funding. Both the schools sanctioned by the Deputy are already included in this scheme and have received concessionary teaching posts. The schools in question are also included in the home-school liaison scheme.
In addition to the above measures, the Deputy may be aware that my Department recently invited schools already included in the disadvantaged areas scheme to apply for a number of additional concessionary posts being made available to assist schools with particular difficulties. The school mentioned have made application and will be fully considered in this context.
