Gerry Reynolds
Question:289 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science when a remedial teacher will be appointed to the Four Masters primary school, Kinlough, County Leitrim. [16849/97]
Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.
Willie Penrose
Question:302 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that Horseleap national school, County Westmeath, has access to a remedial teacher on a shared basis as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17113/97]
Billy Timmins
Question:305 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will acknowledge the need for a remedial teacher at a group of schools (details supplied). [17118/97]
Billy Timmins
Question:306 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will acknowledge the need for a remedial teacher at a group of schools (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [17119/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 289, 302, 305 and 306 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 currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including responses to remedial needs, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible.
I assure the Deputies that the needs of the schools to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional allocation of special supports which may be undertaken.
Denis Naughten
Question:290 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in appointing a resource teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [16890/97]
Denis Naughten
Question:300 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science when a resource teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon will take up the appointment; and the reason for the delay in filling the appointment. [17110/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 300 together.
A resource teacher post was sanctioned in May 1997 for a cluster of six national schools in County Roscommon with effect from September 1997. Frenchpark NS was originally selected as the base school for this post because of its location within the cluster.
However, I understand that in finalising the caseload for the resource teacher, it emerged that a number of the children involved had changed schools. As a result, some of the schools originally proposed for inclusion in the cluster no longer had special needs children requiring the resource teacher service. At the same time, it was necessary to include some other schools not originally involved.
Given the revised locations of the schools being served, it was necessary to change the base school arrangements. Fairymount NS has now been designated as the base school. Frenchpark NS will continue to be served as part of the cluster.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the board of management of Fairymount NS is now in a position to proceed with the appointment of the resource teacher.