Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Resource Teacher Provision.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

181 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education her views on the possible loss due to a shortage of seven pupils, of a resource teacher who was appointed last year as 13th assistant teacher at a primary school (details supplied) in County Dublin which is not classified as disadvantaged for her Department's purposes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this school currently has eight pupils with special needs who are successfully integrating with the 377 other pupils in view of the ongoing commitment and dedication of the school staff who are greatly helped in the task by having a full time resource teacher for both the special need pupils and all other pupils; if she will sanction, on a trial basis, the recommendation of the special education review committee of a weighting ratio which would allow this school to retain their resource teacher in view of its particular commitment to pupils with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6992/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

As the staffing schedule for the school year 1996-97 has not yet been determined, it is not possible at this stage to say whether the school in question will actually lose a post. Based on the existing schedule, an enrolment of 392 in September 1995 would be required by the school in order to retain its post of 13th assistant next year.

My Department has not sanctioned a resource teacher post for this school. The resource teacher coverage to which the Deputy refers has been arranged at local level by the school authorities.

I am aware that the school has sought special consideration in view of the presence of a number of special needs children. I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the school will be given every consideration when I am next in a position to allocate resource teacher posts.

In this connection, it would be helpful if the school would provide details of the individual children in question and the special needs involved in each case.