Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 4

Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.

Tony Gregory

Question:

221 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education her response to a submission from the Mater Dei primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 requesting retention of current staff, the appointment of a crisis teacher, formal recognition for the shared education support project and funding for essential security works in view of the socially disadvantaged community served by this school. [5139/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I note that the current enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy is 252 pupils. However, decisions regarding the staffing allocation of primary schools for the 1997-98 school year have not yet been made.

The Deputy may be aware that the school in question is included in the scheme of assistance for disadvantaged schools. Arising from their inclusion in the scheme, the school has been allocated an extra concessionary teaching post. The school is also included in the home school community liaison scheme and has the services of a locally based home school community liaison teacher. I understand this school also has the servides of two full-time remedial teachers.

As Minister for Education, I have to consider how best to deploy available resources across a wide range of special needs. I have to determine priorities and seek to allocate available resources to best effect. In the current year, I have sought to concentrate available resources on selected schools which have been identified as suffering from serious levels of educational disadvantage.

My Department has sanctioned the secondment of a teacher, on a recoupment basis, to the project referred to by the Deputy up to 31 March 1997. It is open to the schools concerned to apply to my Department for an extension of the secondment arrangement.

In the event of additional resources becoming available for allocation to special needs areas, the needs of the school in question will receive every consideration.

The matter of funding towards security works at the school is currently being considered in the light of exising contractual commitments for 1997 and the funding to be made available this year. These matters are currently being examined. When a decision is reached, it will be conveyed to the school management.