Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:81 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when decisions will be made in relation to the appointment of remedial teachers and resource teachers for the school year 1996/1997. [13702/96]
Written Answers. - Appointment of Remedial Teachers.
Brian Cowen
Question:85 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Education whether a remedial-resource teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Laois. [13739/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 85 together.
I am not in a position to make additional remedial or resource teacher posts available to primary schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy. Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have allocated an additional 241 remedial teachers and 29 resource teachers to the primary sector. A total of 1,188 remedial teachers and 36 resource teachers are now in place. 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. As part of this process, consideration is currently being given to how my Department can best respond within available resources to the range of special needs presenting for the forth-coming school year, including those relating to remedial and resource teacher support. It is my intention that this consideration be completed as speedily as possible.