Vol. 488 No. 5
122 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if a remedial teacher on a shared basis will be appointed for five primary schools on the borders of counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford (details supplied); and when will he approve this appointment. [6571/98]
126 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve a shared remedial teacher for St. Theresa's, Kilkenny, Kilkmovee, Tavrane, Cloonlyon, Tavneena and Barnacoogue national schools. [6716/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 126 together.
I am not in a position at present to allocate additional remedial teacher posts to primary schools.
In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the next 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 remedial tuition.
I am currently 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 assure the Deputies that the needs of the schools to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional remedial teacher allocations which may be undertaken.
