Vol. 487 No. 5
139 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider providing a remedial teacher for St. John's national school, Ballybought Street, Kilkenny, in view of the fact that the school is classified as disadvantaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4428/98]
148 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science when the Keenagh national school, Ballina, County Mayo, will be provided with the services of a remedial teacher. [4484/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 148 together.
I am not in a position at present to allocate remedial teaching posts to primary schools.
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 arrangements were based on the allocation of surplus posts available for redistribution from the demographic dividend for the 1997-98 school year.
A total of 54 remedial teacher posts have been allocated to primary schools with effect from September 1997. These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need for access to a remedial teaching service.
I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including the remedial teacher area, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible.
I can assure the Deputies that the needs of the schools in question will be fully considered in the context of any additional remedial teacher allocations which my be undertaken.
