Ned O'Keeffe
Question:577 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the appointment of a full time resource teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [16070/02]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
My Department allocates resource teaching posts to individual 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.
The school referred to by the Deputy has been allocated part-time resource teaching support for the current school year. The school has recently appealed to my Department for an increase in this allocation. The appeal has been referred to the psychological service for a report. As soon as the report has been received and considered, my Department will advise the school authorities of the decision in the matter.
Finian McGrath
Question:578 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that the sick leave of a person (details supplied) is extended until December 2002, that the person holds on their allowances and is given the proper opportunity to get another teaching position, and that they are treated fairly and with dignity. [16072/02]
Under the terms of rule 112(3) of the rules for national schools, the maximum paid sick leave allowed to a teacher in any period of four consecutive years is 365 days.
I understand that the maximum sick leave permissible for the person referred to by the Deputy will expire on 4 November 2002. Accordingly, I regret that there is no basis on which I can sanction an extension to her sick leave beyond this date.
Officials of my Department have corresponded with the teacher referred to and have set out, in a letter of 1 August 2002, the options available to this person if she is not fit to resume duty after 4 November 2002.