Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 4

Written Answers. - Appointment of Remedial Teachers.

Brendan Smith

Question:

155 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will sanction at an early date the appointment of a remedial teacher to three schools (details supplied) in County Cavan in view of the urgent need to provide such a service and the anxiety of the boards of management that their applications should be treated favourably; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15623/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Earlier this year, I allocated 55 remedial teacher posts to the primary school sector with effect from September 1995. This allocation brings the total number of remedial posts in the primary sector to 1,188.

These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need following the collection and analysis of data by my Department's primary inspectorate. Unfortunately, the schools referred to by the Deputy were not successful on this occasion.

In keeping with the Government's commitment to increasing access to remedial education, I will continue to review needs in this area and consider how best these needs can be addressed within available resources. The needs of all schools, including the schools referred to by the Deputy, will be considered within this context.