Vol. 489 No. 1
31 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve a shared remedial teacher for Kilkenny, Cloonlyon, Tavneena, Kilmovee, Tavrane and Barnacoogue national schools, County Mayo, in view of the fact that the standardised attainment test has indicated the need for a remedial teacher. [7478/98]
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.
