Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 5

Written Answers. - Classroom Assistants.

Mary Wallace

Question:

193 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the number of classroom assistants in post-primary schools in County Meath; the number of children being helped by these assistants; and the number of children in County Meath for whom a need has been identified but who do not have a classroom assistant available to them. [9575/97]

Mary Wallace

Question:

194 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the number of classroom assistants in primary schools in County Meath; the number of children being helped by these assistants; and the number of children in County Meath for whom a need has been identified but who do not have a classroom assistant available to them. [9576/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

There are currently no child care assistant posts sanctioned in mainstream primary or post-primary schools in County Meath.

Available child care assistant posts are generally targeted on special schools and special classes dealing with children with more serious disabilities. At present, there are eight child care assistants attached to special schools in County Meath.

The deployment of these posts within the special schools is a matter for the boards of management of the schools in question. Details of the number of children being helped by these assistants and the number in respect of whom a need has been identified but who do not currently have such a service are not readily available within my Department. I am not in a position at present to allocate additional child care assistant posts. In the event of such posts becoming available, the needs of schools in County Meath will be considered.