Vol. 504 No. 2
342 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will conclude his assessment of the application by St. Anne's school (special school) in Ennis, County Clare, for a resource teacher to deal with children who have moderate to severe hearing impairments, autism, attention deficit disorder, cerebral palsy and Down's syndrome; and if a positive response will be given to this request. [11695/99]
I am aware of the application to which the Deputy refers.
Resource teacher posts are generally allocated to ordinary primary schools to support children with disabilities who are attending school on a fully integrated basis.
The case put forward by St. Anne's special school for an extra staffing resource to address its particular needs is currently being investigated by my Department's inspectorate. Once the inspectorate has reported on the school's needs, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities regarding their application.
343 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the classrooms at St. John's national school, Ballisodare, County Sligo, are located in four different locations due to the extension of the school and that some of the pupils have to be taken by bus in the morning and evening under supervision to the different locations; if his attention has further been drawn to the extra burden and unnecessary problems that it has now caused to the principal of the school; if he will grant the substitute cover in view of the circumstances involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11703/99]
An application from St. John's national school for a temporary teacher to allow the principal become an administrative principal until the building work is completed was received in my Department on 4 May 1999.
An inspector from my Department has been asked to visit the school and report on the situation. On receipt of the inspector's report officials from my Department will correspond directly with the board of management in this matter.
