Vol. 495 No. 4
388 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to reduce the pupil teacher ratio in a school (details supplied) in County Meath where there are classes of up to 37 children; if he will make any funds available in the forthcoming Estimates to alleviate this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20070/98]
The current staffing at the school to which the Deputy refers is a principal and five teachers. In addition, the school has the services of a shared remedial teacher.
I am not aware of the managerial authorities of the school having sought additional staffing in order to comply with maximum class size guidelines. However, I have requested an inspector from my Department to visit the school and to report on the exact position pertaining therein, after which the staffing allocation to the school will be reviewed.
389 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the figures for pupil enrolment, teachers and pupil-teacher ratio in all the primary schools in County Meath; the number of remedial teachers and special needs teachers in each of the schools; the allocated hours which each remedial and special needs teacher has in each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20071/98]
There are 39 remedial teaching posts providing a remedial service to 92 schools in County Meath. There are three resource posts for children with disabilities, 12 resource posts for travellers, one special class for children with autism, one special class for emotionally disturbed children, one special school for mildly mentally handicapped children and one special school for moderately mentally handicapped children.
To extract the detailed information which the Deputy has requested regarding pupil enrolment, the number of teachers and the pupil teacher ratios in each individual school in County Meath would require an inordinate demand on existing resources which could not be justified.
The number of hours which each remedial teacher and special needs teacher spends in each school is a matter for the board of management and the school's inspector. This is revised from time to time depending on the level of need in each school.
