Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Primary Education.

Pat Carey

Question:

281 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if education services will be provided in the Roscommon area in view of the recent survey of primary schools in the county which indicates inadequacies in the education services and highlights the lack of educational and psychological services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10978/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware of the survey recently conducted by the Roscommon Partnership Company in relation to the provision of primary school educational services in that county.

It was precisely because of my concern and that of the Government for the primary education sector, that I made a commitment on assuming office to give primary education a clear priority in the allocation of resources. To this end, I have increased the capitation grant by 33 per cent in only two years and I am confident that this increased funding is assisting schools on a nationwide basis. In addition, significant improvements have been introduced to the staffing schedule for all schools.

On the points in the survey relating to a lack of remedial services available to schools in County Roscommon, arrangements are currently being made in my Department to extend the remedial teacher service to all primary and second level schools from next September. All primary schools, including the primary schools in County Roscommon, will be covered by the expansion of the remedial teacher service.

Currently, there are two primary schools in County Roscommon included in the disadvantaged areas scheme and, as such, these schools will have the services of a home-school community liaison co-ordinator from September 1999. In addition there are five primary schools in the county included in the Breaking the Cycle project. Each school included in this project has the services of a co-ordinator, part of whose duties include the provision of a home-school community liaison service.

In relation to access to my Department's psychological service one of my key priorities as Minister is the establishment of a national educational psychological service, to be available to all schools at both levels. In this regard, I recently announced Government approval for the establishment of a national educational psychological service. Financial provision has been made for the first two years of a five year implementation phase. At the end of this five year period it is envisaged that 200 psychologists will be in place and that every school in the country will have access to a schools' psychological service.

Sixty-nine psychologists are already in place and my Department will shortly be recruiting 25 additional psychologists, who should take up their appointments during the school year 1999-2000. Officials of my Department are currently carrying out a detailed analysis of the needs and resources available in all parts of the country, in order to set priorities for the expansion of the national educational psychological service. Findings from surveys which have already been carried out will also be taken into account.

In relation to capital expenditure on schools in County Roscommon, my Department has provided grant assistance towards major works in 18 schools within the past few years. Architectural planning has been initiated to upgrade a further seven schools in the current year, while my Department's primary building unit is currently considering applications for refurbishments at another 14 schools and decisions will be conveyed to the relevant school managements shortly.

In addition, since 1997 all national schools receive a basic annual capital grant of £2,000 plus £9 per pupil, which may be expended by schools on improvement works to buildings, services, grounds and furnishings. It is open to school managements to apply to my Department for grant assistance towards capital works not covered by the scheme.

On the finding of the survey that music, singing, art, speech and drama and dancing are not available in many schools, I would stress that all of these activities are covered in the prescribed curriculum for national schools. Schools have a responsibility to ensure that they adequately deal with each area of the curriculum.