Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

226 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the application, if any, she has received from Synge Street school for an ex-quota remedial teacher; if she will agree to this request in view of the status of Synge Street as an inner city school with heavy demands being placed on the existing teaching staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7929/97]

Mary Harney

Question:

264 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Education when she will appoint a remedial teacher to Scoil Chaitlin Maude, Tallaght, Dublin 24, in view of the fact that this school is located in a disadvantaged area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8209/97]

Ray Burke

Question:

297 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will appoint an additional remedial teacher for St. Oliver Plunkett School, Malahide, County Dublin. [8348/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 264 and 297 together.

I am aware that Synge Street school has made application to my Department for the appointment of a remedial teacher.

Remedial teacher posts are allocated to schools on the basis of priority of need as determined by my Department following the collection and analysis of data from schools by my Department's inspectorate. The allocation of such posts is also subject to resource availability in any given year.

I am not in a position at present to allocate additional remedial teachers to 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.

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.

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 schools in question will receive every consideration.