John O'Leary
Question:142 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Education if she will provide for the appointment and employment of two resource-remedial teachers in the Kenmare area of County Kerry. [17372/95]
Written Answers. - Remedial Teacher Appointments.
John O'Leary
Question:143 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Education if she will provide for the appointment of two resource-remedial teachers in the Kenmare area of County Kerry, as a matter of urgency, one to provide a special education facility for children in need in Kenmare primary school and the second to provide a similar service in the schools in the rural areas around Kenmare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17373/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. Earlier this year, I allocated an additional ten resource teacher posts to primary schools. This brings the total of such posts allocated to the primary school sector to 36. The role of a resource teacher is to act in support of ordinary teaching staff in dealing with children with disabilities who are fully integrated into ordinary primary schools. I also allocated an additional 55 remedial teacher posts to the primary sector with effect from September, 1995. This allocation brings the total number of remedial posts in the primary sector to 1,188.
These remedial and resource posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need following the collection of data by my Department's primary inspectorate. 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 primary schools in the Kenmare area, will be considered within this context.