asked the Minister for Education if he will approve the appointment of a remedial teacher to the Christian Brothers school in Westport, County Mayo in accordance with the wishes of the board of management as expressed in the documentation already lodged in his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Westport Remedial Teacher Need.
13.
The appointment of teachers in secondary schools under the prescribed regulations and within the authorised quotas of staff is a matter for the managerial authorities of the schools and the question of ministerial approval for individual appointments does not arise.
I am not in a position to sanction an appointment outside of the authorised quota.
Has the Minister received the documentation submitted by the board of management in respect of this request?
There is no reference to any such documentation in the information I have.
May I make the Minister aware that the documentation submitted to his Department is comprehensive, quite clear and sets out the urgent need for the appointment of a remedial teacher to this school? In view of the importance of having the best possible education provided for our children, would the Minister not agree that the appointment of a remedial teacher is necessary in this instance, taking into account remarks made recently in the report about illiteracy and the attention that should be given to backward children?
The matter of appointment within the quota is primarily one for managements. As to the information supplied to the Department. I shall certainly arrange to have that explored. While there is no reference to any such application having been received, if there is information which the Deputy could make available to me I should be delighted to receive it and I shall certainly arrange to follow it up.
Does the Minister propose to appoint any additional remedial teachers to this school and/or to other schools in 1982 — to approve such appointments?
It does not arise on the question.
That is a more general question about the staffing of post-primary schools and no decision is imminent in that area. If the Deputy has a particular interest and if he would like to frame a question about it, I should be pleased to answer it.
May I ask the Minister specifically if he is willing to sanction one extra remedial teacher for this particular school?
I have already indicated the situation in regard to this school. I think it would be appropriate to follow up the matter and in particular if Deputy Kenny is able to supply additional information I shall arrange to have that examined.