Brendan Smith
Question:122 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will list the primary schools in County Cavan that lack a remedial teaching service. [14859/96]
Written Answers. - County Cavan Remedial Teaching.
Brendan Smith
Question:123 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to sanction additional remedial teaching appointments at primary school level in County Cavan with effect from September 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14860/96]
I propose to take Question Nos. 122 and 123 together.
I am not in a position at present to make additional remedial teacher posts available to any primary schools.
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 1994-1995, 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 initiatives 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.
There are 81 ordinary primary schools in County Cavan. Twenty-six of these do not have access to a remedial teaching service. The names of these 26 schools are detailed in the following table:
|
Roll No. |
School Name |
|
11409V |
Ballyconnell Central NS |
|
14211P |
SN Lathrach 2 |
|
14320A |
Corlea NS |
|
14336M |
Searcóg INS |
|
14399N |
Kilgarry NS |
|
15120R |
Killconnan NS |
|
15452T |
Kildallon NS |
|
15930G |
Clifferna NS |
|
16093W |
Ballyconnell Mixed NS |
|
16499E |
SN Naomh Mhuire |
|
16520P |
Drung I NS |
|
16959M |
SN Corrabha |
|
17240O |
SN Tamhnach Dhuibh |
|
17531C |
Baile Na Móna |
|
17630E |
SN Maodhóg |
|
17990L |
SN Drom Cnámh |
|
18340A |
SN Pádraig |
|
18355N |
Knocknagilla NS |
|
18393V |
SN Cillín |
|
18833A |
SN Lathrach |
|
19285A |
Kill NS |
|
19608V |
Mullagh Central NS |
|
19871N |
St. Patrick's NS |
|
19921C |
Drung No. 2 NS |
|
19983B |
St. Clare's NS |
|
20026G |
Gaelscoil An Chabháin |