Vol. 576 No. 2
148 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve an application by Kerry VEC to supply a part-time teacher for drama, art and music, at Nano Nagle School, Listowel, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29400/03]
My Department allocates teaching hours to vocational education committees to support the delivery of education programmes in a range of facilities, including special schools. All such allocations, which issue under the heading of "co-operation with other institutions", are made in response to specific applications which must be submitted by vocational education committees in advance of the commencement of the school year to which they relate. No application for the support referred to by the Deputy was submitted to my Department in respect of the current school year.
A total of 651.23 whole-time equivalent teaching posts has been allocated under the "co-operation" heading for the 2003-04 school year. This represents the maximum allocation available having regard to overall resource availability in the current school year.
