Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 May 1996

Vol. 147 No. 6

Adjournment Matters. - Blanchardstown (Dublin) Remedial Teacher Post.

Mrs. McGennis

The principal and parents of children at Scoil Bhríde have asked me to request the Minister for Education to sanction the appointment of a second remedial teacher for the boys' school. At present, a remedial teacher based in Scoil Bhríde's boys' school is shared by the girls' and boys' schools. This teacher was appointed ten years ago to deal with the number then on the roll. I understand that since then both schools have grown significantly and have almost doubled in size.

The current enrolment at the girls' school is 304 girls and 13 traveller children, giving a total of 317. The enrolment in the boys' school is 303. At present, 70 children, boys and girls, are attending the remedial classes and the principal tells me this is totally unacceptable as the recommended number per remedial teacher is 40. I am sure the Minister can confirm if that figure is accurate.

The situation becomes intolerable when one considers that a large number of girls do not have any access to the remedial teacher. I have information indicating the number receiving and in need of remedial support and I can make this available to the Minister. According to the criteria laid down by the Department of Education, Scoil Bhríde boys' and girls' schools do not fall into the disadvantaged area category. However, a large number of pupils attending Scoil Bhríde live in disadvantaged areas outside what is deemed its catchment area.

The position as I understand it has changed since last week. I submitted this matter for the Adjournment for a number of weeks and before it was reached, the Minister announced last week that all surplus teachers would be assigned to disadvantaged areas. While I recognise the merit of that move, I am informed it will make the situation in schools, including some disadvantaged areas, much more difficult. I understand no additional remedial teachers will be appointed this year and no extra teachers to deal with special needs will be available.

Scoil Bhríde has written to the Minister and made its case and it has asked me to support its request for a separate remedial teacher for the boys' and girls' schools. On her first day in office the Minister announced on a radio programme that she would ensure all children have access to the best quality education, particularly at primary level. She must admit that the situation pertaining in Scoil Bhríde, and another school in Mulhuddart, a growing satellite town with a population of 60,000, means the children do not have access to the best quality education. I ask the Minister to sanction the appointment of a second remedial teacher at Scoil Bhríde.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

The Minister for Education is not in a position at present to make remedial teacher posts available to the primary school sector. As has been indicated to the House in the past, remedial education at primary level is a matter in the first instance for the ordinary class teachers. The majority of pupils with remedial needs would, therefore, be helped within the scope of the normal teaching service.

It is acknowledged that remedial teachers constitute the main additional resource for addressing the problem of under-achievement in primary schools. Substantial additional resources have been allocated to this area in recent years. In 1995 an additional 55 remedial teachers were appointed to primary schools and 223 schools benefited from this allocation. This brought the total number of remedial teachers in place to 1,188. Of the 3,209 ordinary national schools throughout the country, approximately 2,285 now have the service of remedial teachers, either on a full-time or a shared basis. Of the 408 ordinary national schools in County Dublin, 394 now have the services of a remedial teacher, either on a full-time or shared basis. This includes 16 schools allocated a remedial service with effect from the commencement of the current school year as part of the distribution of 55 posts. These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need following the collection and analysis of information from the schools by the Department's primary inspectorate and also having consideration for data submitted by schools. This means that 98 per cent of pupils attending ordinary national schools in County Dublin currently enjoy a remedial service.

The Minister for Education has indicated to the House her intention to review the needs in this area and consider how best these needs can be addressed within available resources. When the Minister is in a position to further extend the remediation service, Scoil Bhríde boys' and girls' schools will receive every consideration.

At this stage 87 per cent of the pupils in our primary schools have the possibility of access to a remedial teacher. This is a big improvement on the position when the Minister took office in 1993 when 77 per cent of pupils had the possibility of such access. It is a matter of regret to the Minister that it is not possible at present to meet the needs of all pupils for remedial teaching as, unfortunately, she does not have unlimited resources.