Richard Bruton
Question:72 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of additional guidance and remedial teachers provided at second level in the current school year. [20683/98]
Written Answers - Guidance and Remedial Teachers.
The guidance and remedial allocations to second level schools have remained constant since 1995. At present there are 350 remedial and 567 guidance posts within the second level system.
In the school year 1997-98 enrolments stood at 368,400 and teacher numbers for that year were 23,558. In the current year projected enrolments indicate a reduction of about 4,000. Teacher numbers in the present year are broadly in line with those for 1997-98. In summary therefore the actual pupil-teacher ratio which stood at 15.64 in 1997-98 is anticipated to reduce further in the current school year.
The issue of additional resources for the second level sector is one which I will be discussing with the Minister for Finance in the context of this year's Estimates.