Vol. 481 No. 7
311 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide for the appointment of a resource or remedial teacher or both to some small rural schools (details supplied) in County Galway, where the need has been established, on a shared or group basis. [17157/97]
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 and 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 remedial and resource teachers to primary schools.
I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including remedial and resource teacher provision, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible.
I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the schools to which he refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional allocation of special supports which may be undertaken.
312 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction an ex-quota teacher to St. Mary's national school, Sandyford, Dublin 16, in view of the socio-economic profile of the school and the areas of disadvantage from which many of the pupils come. [17158/97]
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 at present to allocate additional ex-quota teacher posts to primary schools.
