Vol. 521 No. 3
165 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the need to sanction the appointment of a resource teacher to Carrig national school, Birr, County Offaly; if so, when he will sanction the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17004/00]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that two and a half hours resource teaching support per week has recently been sanctioned by my Department to the school in question, in order to meet the needs of a child who will commence attendance at the school next September.
166 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a teacher-aid to assist a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is profoundly deaf in view of the fact he had had no visiting teacher attend his school throughout the current year and the remedial teacher is shared between two schools and therefore is insufficient to this child's needs. [17020/00]
The pupil referred to by the Deputy is currently receiving remedial teacher support. In addition, my Department has sanctioned three hours resource teacher support per week to cater for his special educational needs.
At present, there is a vacancy in the visiting teacher service for the Kilkenny-south Tipperary. I understand that an existing visiting teacher will transfer into this area with effect from 1 September 2000. Attempts by my Department to fill the post in a temporary capacity in the interim were unsuccessful.
My Department's inspectorate is currently investigating whether additional special support is warranted for the pupil in question. Upon receipt of the inspector's report, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities in relation to this matter.
