Mary Coughlan
Question:173 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education whether she will appoint a remedial teacher in September 1996 to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13210/96]
Written Answers. - Appointment of Remedial Teacher.
Robert Molloy
Question:189 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Education the current position regarding an application for the appointment of a remedial teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13469/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 189 together.
I am not in a position at present to make remedial teacher posts available to the schools referred to by the Deputies.
Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have allocated an additional 241 remedial teachers to the primary sector. A total of 1,188 remedial teachers are now in place and the percentage of pupils who have access to a remedial service has increased from 77 per cent to 87 per cent.
I consider that the substantial improvements which I have already achieved in this area provide practical confirmation of my commitment to the needs of the children in question.
However, as Minister for Education I have to consider how best to deploy available resources across a wider range of special needs. I have to determine priorities and try to allocate resources to best effect. During the period 1994-95, in addition to allocating an extra 155 remedial teachers, I adopted a particular focus on the needs of children attending special schools and classes. In addition to reducing the pupil teacher ratios in all such facilities, I provided a very substantial increase in the special capitation rates applicable in such cases.
In the current school year, I have adopted a particular focus on children who suffer from educational disadvantage and have sought to target resources into this area in an effort to break the cycle of disadvantage. As part of this approach, I recently launched a major new initiative aimed at bringing special targeted assistance to children in selected urban and rural areas who suffer serious educational disadvantage.
I am satisfied that since my appointment as Minister for Education I have achieved substantial advances across the entire spectrum of special needs, including the remedial area. It is my intention to continue this process.