Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - Breaking the Cycle Initiative.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

200 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if she has allocated all available teachers to the breaking the cycle scheme; if there are still some teachers surplus to her initial requirements; if so, when she will make a decision in respect of their re-allocation; if schools running special school projects will be considered favourably for any surplus allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19313/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The allocation of teacher posts to the breaking the cycle initiative has now been completed. I have no plans to allocate further posts to this initiative.

My capacity to allocate additional teaching posts to special needs areas in any year is dependent on the availability of surplus posts within the primary system which can be retained for reallocation to such areas.

In the current year, in addition to targeting posts on the breaking the cycle initiative, I am targeting available posts on the following special needs areas; extra resource teacher appointments to assist ordinary primary schools in meeting the needs of children with disabilities who are enrolled in mainstream classes; extra visiting teacher appointments to both the visiting teacher service for travellers and the visiting teacher service for children with disabilities attending ordinary schools; and extra teachers for special classes for children with severe or profound mental handicap.

Notwithstanding the above, my Department is always willing to consider the merits of any individual special project. If the Deputy has a particular project in mind, he may wish to submit details to my Department for consideration.