Vol. 541 No. 3
185 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he will take to ensure parity of the rate of payment for a special needs assistant in primary and secondary schools; if the special needs assistants in secondary schools who have been paid a lower rate than those employed in primary schools for the past four years will receive the pay increase, including arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21593/01]
Following a review, a revised pay structure and conditions of service were introduced for special needs assistants employed in approved posts in second level schools with effect from
1 September 2001. The new pay structure is now in line with the structure applied to special needs assistants in primary schools from that date. Arrears of pay are not due in this case.
186 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application by the Sacred Heart secondary school, Westport, County Mayo, for enhanced guidance teaching; and when the provision of this service will be approved. [21594/01]
An application was received from the Sacred Heart secondary school, Westport, County Mayo, under the guidance enhancement initiative for second level schools. The objective of the initiative is to develop innovative ways of enhancing guidance through promoting links between schools, business, voluntary and State agencies and increasing the uptake of science subjects. Over 400 second level schools submitted proposals for a career guidance post allocation under the initiative. Decisions on the selection of proposals for support were made in accordance with agreed criteria on the recommendations of a selection panel involving experts in the field of guidance and project management. Some 50 new guidance posts were allocated under this initiative which will directly support proposals submitted by 103 schools.
The application from the Sacred Heart school was unsuccessful on this occasion. The position of the school will be considered in the context of any future expansion of provision for guidance in second level schools. The principal of the school was notified to this effect in a letter which issued to the school on 27 August 2001.
