Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

182 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which it is proposed to increase special needs teachers or assistants in County Kildare; if he expects to be able to improve the position in line with documented requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3069/02]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

183 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs pupils in mainstream education in north County Kildare; the extent to which he intends to increase the number of teachers required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3070/02]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

185 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has identified the number of resource teachers required in County Kildare; the extent to which the need is currently met; his plans to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3072/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182, 183 and 185 together.

My Department currently allocates teaching posts to special classes in primary schools, to special schools and to support children with special needs in mainstream primary schools. In addition, special needs assistant posts are allocated to assist schools with the care needs of pupils with disabilities.

It is necessary to view each pupil's special needs on an individual basis. For some pupils the nature of the special need may be such that the child can perform quite successfully in an integrated setting with the support, where necessary, of a remedial or resource teacher. Where more serious cases of difficulties arise, provision is made in special schools or special classes dedicated to such children. Therefore, supports as outlined above are allocated by my Department on a demand-led basis and are based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual child or children.

There are currently three special schools and approximately 26 special classes in County Kildare. The number of resource teachers cur rently in place in the same area is 76 including full-time and part-time posts. Special needs assistants totalling some 173, including full-time and part-time posts, have also been allocated for the support of special needs pupils in the county. Information relating to the number of special needs pupils in mainstream primary education is not readily available in my Department.

With regard to second level, my Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to second level schools to cater for special needs pupils. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authorities. Each case is considered on its merits and determined on the advice of the psychological service.

In the current school year, eight special needs assistant posts, four resource posts and approximately 11 whole-time teacher equivalents in concessionary teaching hours have been allocated in respect of 107 special needs pupils in second level schools in County Kildare.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

184 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of remedial teachers employed at primary and second level throughout County Kildare; his plans to increase the number in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3071/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

At present a total of 56 learning support teachers are in place in primary schools in County Kildare.

All second level schools in the free education scheme have an entitlement to an ex quota teacher allocation in respect of remedial allocation. The allocation to individual schools is determined by the enrolment. Schools with an enrolment of 600 pupils or more are allocated a full post. Schools with an enrolment of less than 600 pupils are allocated 0.5 of a whole-time post in respect of remedial education. In the current school year 21 whole-time teacher equivalents have been allocated to second level schools in County Kildare in respect of remedial education.

The question of allocating additional posts to schools in respect of remedial education will be considered in the context of available resources.

Question No. 185 answered with Question No. 182.