Vol. 461 No. 7
60 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education if she will have arrangements made to appoint a remedial teacher as a matter of urgency to St. Mary's national school, Ballygunner, Waterford, in view of the fact that they have been applying since 1992 and currently have 60 students in need of remedial assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2360/96]
70 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education the number of remedial teachers that are being trained in 1996; and the number of remedial teachers that will be appointed to primary schools in 1996. [3714/96]
88 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Education the reason a remedial teacher has not been appointed to serve the national schools at Drummond, Glynn and Newtown, County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3519/96]
183 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the application by the boards of management of schools (details supplied) in County Carlow for a remedial teacher in view of their special position and the fact that this is their fourth application to her Department; and if she will ensure that these particular schools are put on a priority list in the event of further appointments being made in 1996. [3975/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 70, 88 and 183 together.
I am not in a position to make remedial teacher posts available to primary schools, including the schools mentioned by the Deputies.
During the current school year, 1995-96, 100 remedial teachers are being trained for the primary sector and 58 for the post-primary sector.
During 1995, I announced the allocation of an additional 55 remedial teacher posts to primary schools. These posts were allocated to schools with effect from September 1995 on the basis of priority of need following recommendations from my Department's primary inspectorate. Account was also taken of data submitted by the applicant schools. This allocation brought the total number of remedial teachers now in place in the primary sector to 1,188. Unfortunately, the schools mentioned by the Deputies were not successful on this occasion.
I am keeping the question of further appointments in this area under regular review. I can assure the Deputies that the remedial needs of pupils attending the schools in question will be taken fully into account as part of this process.
