Vol. 492 No. 1
275 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the pupil to teacher ratio in a school (details supplied) in County Meath where class sizes are now larger than they were in 1971; if he will provide the finance for remedial and resource teachers and guidance counsellors to alleviate the problems experienced due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13559/98]
The teacher allocation to the school in question for the current school year includes ex-allocations in respect of guidance and remedial together with a concessionary allocation to cater for curricular needs within the school. The actual teacher pupil ratio in the school is approximately 16.4:1.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that there are many competing demands for increased funding in all sectors of education. These demands are considered within the overall budgetary constraints. Unfortunately, in current circumstances it is not possible to allocate additional ex-quota resource posts to second level schools. However, the position will be kept under review and the position of this school will be considered when next it is possible to allocate additional resource posts.
