Vol. 472 No. 3
157 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the arrangements, if any, she has made or intends to make to deal with the issues in relation to staff resources in the examinations branch of her Department, which were drawn to her attention by Price Waterhouse consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23123/96]
158 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the number of additional staff she has provided or intends to provide in the examinations branch of her Department to cope with the additional workload imposed by the introduction of the leaving certificate applied programme. [23124/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
The issue of staffing resources in the examinations branch of my Department is at present under consideration as part of a joint organisation study currently being carried out by officials from my Department and from the centre for management and organisation development in the Department of Finance.
159 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the number of administrative staff assigned to the special education section of her Department on 1 January 1993 and on 1 November 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23125/96]
160 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the number of staff assigned to the special education section of her Department to cater for the needs of students in the post-primary sector; the location in which they can be contacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23126/96]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together. There were 16 administrative staff assigned to the special education section of my Department on 1 January 1993 and on 1 November 1996. None of these staff are specifically assigned to deal with students in the post-primary sector. The needs of these students are catered for either within that section or the post-primary branch as appropriate. Both the special education section and the relevant section of the post-primary branch are located in the Department's office in Athlone.
