Vol. 487 No. 5
146 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application for the appointment of a resource teacher from a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will sanction this appointment for the next school year in view of the enrolment of visually impaired pupils in junior infants on 1 September 1997. [4457/98]
147 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a resource teacher to service the needs of St Joseph's national school, Boyerstown, Dunsany national school and St Joseph's Convent of Mercy, Navan, on a shared basis, in view of the fact that each of the schools in question have a child enrolled with Down's Syndrome and the children require special attention. [4458/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
I am aware that the schools in question have applied to my Department for the appointment of resource teachers.
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 32 resource 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 resource teaching service. I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including the resource teacher area, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible.
I assure the Deputies that the needs of the schools in question will be fully considered in the context of any additional resource teacher allocations which may be undertaken.
