asked the Minister for Education the number of remedial school teachers in Ireland; the number who are trained each year; and if he is satisfied that the number trained each year is adequate.
Written Answers. - Remedial School Teachers.
160.
There are now approximately 220 full-time remedial teachers serving in national schools.
Up to now the annual output at the special courses for remedial teachers in Orwell Road and at Cork Polio was approximately 50 teachers. This year arrangements are being made to have this number increased by the provision of a further course for 20-25 teachers in St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra. I am also investigating the possibility of establishing further courses in other centres.
At post-primary level there are at present 84 recognised teachers engaged in remedial education. The Department has made provision for the training of a further 75 teachers during the school year 1973-74. The Department has been engaged in such in-service training since 1971.
I recognise the need for more teachers who have received training in remedial education and as my reply indicates the number of teachers undergoing training in this area is being increased considerably. Whilst a remedial teacher may be regarded as the person, on a school staff, with the main responsibility for remedial education, the remedial problem is, of course, the concern of all the teaching staff.
161.
asked the Minister for Education the provision which is made for slow learning children at primary school level.
Two hundred and twenty appointments to full-time posts for remedial teachers have been sanctioned in national schools. In addition, in many schools part-time remedial teaching is carried out by teachers who are free from class duties at certain times during the day.
Saturday morning pilot schemes in remedial teaching are operating in towns, and remedial teaching is also provided in child guidance clinics.