Vol. 490 No. 7
243 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application by the Galway School Project, Corrib, Galway, for a resource teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11167/98]
252 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to appoint a special needs resource teacher to Scoil na Mainistreach, Celbridge, County Kildare; if he will sanction this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11221/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 252 together.
I have asked my Department's inspectorate to furnish a report on the requirement of the schools referred to by the Deputies for a resource teacher post. My capacity to allocate additional resource teacher posts in any given year is dependent on resource availability and the level of competing demand from other special needs areas. I have to determine priorities and allocate available resources to best effect.
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 can assure the Deputies that the needs of the schools to which they refer will be considered in the context of any resource teacher allocations which may be undertaken for the forthcoming school year.
244 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the youth projects, mainline and special, funded by his Department in the Tullamore area for each of the years from 1992 to date; the amount of money provided by his Department in each case in each year; the organisations to whom the grants were allocated; the number of persons employed in each case; the purpose, aims, objectives and duration of each project funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11168/98]
My Department provides funding for mainline youth services under the terms of the youth service grant scheme. Under this scheme grants are allocated to national and major regional youth organisations which in turn are responsible for the allocation of funds to their various programmes, services and activities. I am aware that a number of the organisations funded under this scheme have groups/clubs in the Tullamore area.
Under the grant scheme for special projects to assist disadvantaged youth my Department provides funding towards the costs associated with the youth work element of the Tullamore Travellers Movement Project. Funding is allocated to Offaly County Council which acts as grant administering agency. There are currently two youth workers employed in this project. The aim of the project is to assist the social and educational development of young travellers in Tullamore. Funding is subject to annual review. Details of funding allocated for the period 1992 — 1998, inclusive, are as follows: 1992, £8,400, 1993, £8,900, 1994, £9,760; 1995, £10,053; 1996, £10,000; 1997, £10,000 and 1998 (to date), £5,000.
In the period referred to my Department has also provided grant-aid under the disadvantaged scheme to the Blessed Sacrament Hostel for young homeless girls in Tullamore. Responsibility for this project has since been transferred to the Department of Health and Children with effect from 1 January 1997, reflecting the fact that health boards have statutory responsibility for young homeless under the Child Care Act, 1991. Accordingly, requests for information regarding the current administration and operations of this project would be more appropriate directed to the Minister for Health and Children.
During the period that my Department was responsible for the project, funding was allocated to the Midland Health Board which acted as grant administering agency. Details of funding allocated for the period 1992-1996, inclusive, are as follows: 1992, £18,400, 1993, £10,000, 1994, £17,000; 1995, £17,510; 1996, £17,510.
