Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 8

Written Answers. - Appointment of Resource Teacher.

Eamon Walsh

Question:

139 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Education if she will have arrangements made to have a special class teacher assigned to Ard Mhuire school in Tallaght, Dublin 24, to enable the principal there to service a class of children who require a special teacher and who have been rejected by other schools in the area; in view of the fact that the principal of this school has gone to extraordinary measures to have this project brought to fruition, if this request will be complied with immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5936/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Árd Mhuire school, Tallaght applied to my Department for a resource teacher in 1994.

The role of the resource teacher is to act in support of ordinary teaching staff in dealing with handicapped children attending ordinary national schools. I recently allocated an additional 13 resource posts to primary schools. These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need.

The needs of Árd Mhuire school were considered in the context of this recent allocation. My Department's primary inspectorate investigated the needs of the school and found that it did not warrant the appointment of a resource teacher at that time. I intend to allocate a further ten resource posts in 1995. If Árd Mhuire school wish to submit additional details to my Department, their needs will be considered in the context of this allocation.

I have asked my Department's primary inspectorate to investigate the need for a special class in the school.