Vol. 481 No. 7
292 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make provision without further delay for the special tuition needs of a child (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16954/97]
I understand that the pupil in question currently receives one and a half hours remedial tuition per week.
In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arranagements 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 26 resource teacher posts to primary schools with effect from September 1997. These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need.
Accordingly, I am not in a position at present to allocate additional resource teacher posts to primary schools.
I am at present reviewing provision across the special needs area, including current responses to special needs children in ordinary school settings, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible.
I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the child to which he refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional allocation of special supports which may be undertaken.
