Kathleen Lynch
Question:129 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education the number and percentage of schools in which the stay safe programme is operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17656/95]
Written Answers. - Stay Safe Programme.
The returns in relation to the uptake of the Stay Safe Programme for the school year ending June 1995 revealed that 99.7 per cent of schools had availed of teacher training; 80 per cent of schools had held information meetings for parents; and just under 60 per cent were teaching the programme.
I am awaiting returns from the Child Abuse Prevention Programme (CAPP) on the precise progress made so far in this school year. However, experience has shown that the number of schools teaching the programme quickly converges close to the number that have held parent meetings. As soon as updated returns become available from CAPP I will make them available to the Deputy.
The Deputy will be aware that the CAPP team is now assisted by a wider network of 40 teachers. These teachers are involved in particular in the provision of parent education which is pivotal to ensuring that schools subsequently introduce the programme. To that end CAPP is targeting the 20 per cent of schools which to date have not held parent meetings and is offering its support.
Brendan Smith
Question:130 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will sanction the provision of a remedial teaching service on a shared basis at an early date to a school (details supplied) in County Cavan in view of the urgent need to provide this service and the expectations of parents, teachers and the board of management that such an appointment would be made with effect from September 1995; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17664/95]
Tom Moffatt
Question:145 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Education when she will announce the allocation of a remedial teacher to Bonniconlon, Carra and Bofield national schools, Ballina, County Mayo. [17847/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 145 together.
My Department has received applications from the schools in question for inclusion in the remedial teaching service.
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 Deputies were not successful on this ocasion.
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 mentioned by the Deputies, will be considered in this context.