Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - Teacher Appointments.

Tony Gregory

Question:

563 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education if a concessional teacher will be provided from September 1997 to the Inchicore girls national school, Sarsfield Road, Dublin 10, which so far has been designated disadvantaged for capitation purposes only, in view of the special needs of the school. [14407/97]

Minister for Education (Mr. Martin):

In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 1997-98 school year with the Irish National Teachers Organisation.

These agreed arrangements were based on the allocation of surplus posts available for redistribution from the demographic dividend for the 1997-98 school year.

Unfortunately, therefore, I am not in a position to allocate any further posts to primary schools at present.

My Department's capacity to allocate concessionary teaching posts in any year is entirely dependent on resource availability and the level of competing demand across the special needs area. Where such posts do become available, they are allocated on the basis of priority of need.

I can assure the Deputy that in the event of additional concessionary teaching posts becoming available, the needs of the school in question will be considered.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

564 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education when a remedial teacher will be allocated to schools in the Milltown and Castlemaine area of County Kerry. [14408/97]

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

579 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education if he intends to appoint an additional remedial teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [14557/97]

Minister for Education (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 579 together.

In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 1997-98 school year with the Irish National Teachers Organisation.

These agreed arrangements were based on the allocation of surplus posts available for redistribution from the demographic dividend for the 1997-98 school year and included the allocation of 51 remedial teacher posts to primary schools with effect from September 1997. These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need for remedial tuition.

Accordingly, I am not in a position at present to allocate additional remedial teacher posts to primary schools.

I am at present reviewing provision across the special needs area, including current responses to remedial needs, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible.

I can assure the Deputies that the particular cases to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional allocation of special supports which may be undertaken.