Vol. 482 No. 6
464 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, his Department has taken to appoint a remedial teacher on a shared basis for schools (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that there are 214 pupils affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18904/97]
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 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 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.
