Vol. 482 No. 3
381 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will supply a remedial teacher, on a shared basis, to eight schools (details supplied) in north Mayo in view of the fact that it is a disadvantaged area and some of the schools are included in the breaking the cycle initiative. [17841/97]
399 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the demand for the appointment of a remedial teacher to Killgarry national school, County Cavan; if so, when this appointment will be made in view of the concerns of the parents in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17971/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 399 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 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.
