Theresa Ahearn
Question:79 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a remedial service to Cullen national school, County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10083/97]
Written Answers. - Teacher Posts.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:80 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a remedial teacher for Monard national school, County Tipperary, as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a state ment on the matter. [10084/97]
Noel Davern
Question:81 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to provide access to a remedial teacher for the pupils of Monard national school, County Tipperary; and if she will give a date for such access. [10086/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos.79, 80 and 81 together.
I am not in a position at present to indicate whether additional remedial teachers will be made available to primary schools for the 1997-8 school year.
My capacity to allocate additional remedial teacher posts in any year is determined by resource availability in that year and the level of competing demand from other special needs areas. The position regarding such allocations for the 1997-8 school year is currently being considered.
As Minister for Education, I have to consider how best to deploy available resources across a wide range of special needs, including the remedial area. I have to establish priorities and seek to allocate available resources to best effect. 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 teacher area. It is my intention to continue this process.