Vol. 506 No. 4
88 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if two replacement teachers will be provided for Our Lady of Mercy Convent secondary school, Beaumont, Dublin 9, in view of the fact that two teachers are due to take career breaks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15630/99]
Applications for the replacement of teachers on career break from second level schools that have posts over the quota are considered under the curricular appeal process and each case is considered on its merits.
My Department is currently processing the applications which have been received, including that from Our Lady of Mercy secondary school, Beaumont and the school authorities will be notified of the decision as soon as possible.
89 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if a resource teacher will be provided for September 1999 to Our Lady of Mercy Convent secondary school, Beaumont, Dublin 9, in order that new pupils with special needs will be catered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/99]
My Department's psychological service has been asked to report on the application which has been received from Our Lady of Mercy Convent secondary school, Beaumont, Dublin 9, for the allocation of a resource post to cater for the needs of special needs pupils attending the school.
As soon as the report has been received and considered, my Department will advise the school authorities of the decision.
91 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria required for a school to avail of a resource teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15633/99]
My Department recently issued a circular letter, circular 8/99, to all national schools advising them of the criteria for the appointment of a resource teacher, either on a full or part-time basis.
Resource teacher support is allocated to cater for the special needs of children with disabilities who are attending ordinary schools on a fully integrated basis. The level of support in any particular case will be determined by the number of children involved and the nature and extent of their special needs, as identified by professional assessment. In some instances, a resource teacher post may be allocated to a school on a full-time basis. In other cases, the post may be allocated on a shared basis between schools. Alternatively, a part-time hours allocation may be made where the need is not sufficient to warrant the allocation of a full post.
All such allocations are set at a level which reflects the degree of disability involved.
