Vol. 492 No. 7
331 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will carry out a review of remedial education where a teacher is provided to a cluster of schools; his views on whether an effective service cannot be provided where too many schools are contained in a cluster; and if so, if he will review the level of service available to a group of schools (details supplied) in County Cork. [14797/98]
333 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the appointment of a remedial service for four schools (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14800/98]
338 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a shared remedial teacher for schools (details supplied) in County Mayo which, on the basis of the standard attainment tests, have demonstrated a caseload of 47 pupils requiring the attention of an ex-quota remedial teacher. [14893/98]
341 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a remedial teacher will be appointed to a cluster of primary schools (details supplied) in Ballina, County Mayo. [14896/98]
366 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent, if any, to which he has reviewed the need for remedial teachers in County Kildare in both urban and rural settings; the proposals, if any, he has to meet the requirements as set out by the various school authorities at primary level in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15207/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 333, 338, 341 and 366 together.
I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including the remedial teacher area, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible. In the case of remedial teachers, I have already indicated my intention to ensure that a remedial resource is available to every primary school in the country over the next two years.
As a first step in this process, I intend to make an allocation of additional remedial teacher posts to primary schools for the forthcoming school year. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on the precise number of posts involved in the near future. The needs of the schools to which the Deputies refer will be considered in the context of any additional remedial teacher allocations which are undertaken.
