Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 5

Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.

Noel Davern

Question:

69 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Education if she will appoint a remedial teacher to Emly national school, County Tipperary in view of the fact that there are 112 pupils attending this four-teacher school; and that 25 per cent of the total enrolment figure require remedial teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3347/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am not in a position at present to allocate additional remedial teachers to the primary sector. Remedial teacher posts are allocated to schools on the basis of priority of need and subject to resource availability in any given year.

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. However, as Minister, 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.

In the current 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. When I am next in a position to extend the remediation service, the needs of the school in question will receive every consideration.