Vol. 495 No. 4
400 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction a concessionary post to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick which is classified in the disadvantaged category, in view of the fact that his Department has failed to appoint a resource teacher. [20110/98]
418 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction a concessionary post at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that he has refused to sanction a resource teacher for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20328/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 418 together.
I am aware of the case made by the school in question for the allocation of a concessionary teacher post to address problems of educational disadvantage.
I am reviewing my Department's overall response to the problems of educational disadvantage. My objective is to ensure that all available resources are properly targeted so that children who are educationally disadvantaged receive the support necessary to enable them to maximise their potential in the education system.
The needs of the school to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional resource allocations which may be undertaken to address educational disadvantage.
The role of the resource teacher is to act in support of ordinary teaching staff in meeting the special needs of children with disabilities in integrated settings. Resource teacher posts are allocated on the basis of priority of need. I recently allocated 26 such posts to primary schools with effect from September 1998. Unfortunately, the school in question was not successful in its application for a resource post on this occassion. In the event of additional resource teacher posts becoming available, the needs of this school will be fully considered.
401 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of remedial teachers per 1,000 students in second level schools. [20111/98]
There are 350 ex-quota remedial posts allocated to second level schools for the current school year. Based on a total enrolment of 368,600 at end September 1997, this equates to a ratio of one ex-quota remedial post per 1,053 pupils. Remedial posts are allocated on the basis of priority of identified need rather than on a pupil teacher ratio basis as suggested by the question.
402 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of extra remedial teachers appointed in second level schools in 1996 and 1997. [20112/98]
No specific additional allocation of ex-quota remedial posts was made to second level schools in 1996 or 1997.
