Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Michael Creed

Question:

258 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of remedial teachers employed in County Cork who are providing a service to four, five, six, seven and eight schools respectively; the schools involved in each cluster; his views on whether it is possible for a single teacher to provide an adequate level of remedial service in this regard; and the proposals, if any, he has to improve the service. [12004/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of remedial teachers employed in County Cork providing a service to four, five, six, seven and eight teacher schools is not readily available in my Department. I will arrange to have the information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

In September 1999, the remedial teacher service was extended to all first and second level schools with a pupil teacher ratio of 10:1 or above. Schools with lower pupil teacher ratios were also advised that they could seek remedial support from my Department where the level of their particular need warrants such a service.

The special education review committee recommended that the general criteria for estab lishing remedial need should relate to pupils who have been identified as being below the 10th percentile on standardised tests in basic literacy and numeracy. The committee also recommended that the caseload of a remedial teacher catering for a single school should be 40 pupils. Where the post is shared with other schools, the committee recommended that the caseload be reduced by two for each school which is additional to the base school, subject to a maximum reduction of eight pupils.

In extending the service on a nation-wide basis, every effort was made to adhere to the recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee.