asked the Minister for Education the action she intends to take in response to the INTO statement on 22 November 1983 that schools in disadvantaged areas, particularly centre-city urban areas, desperately need a reduction in the pupil/teacher ratio, home-school liaison teachers, additional per capita grants, additional remedial teachers and access to psychologists.
Written Answers. - INTO Statement.
116.
Over the last two years the following measures have been taken by my Department to alleviate the particular problems of inner-city schools:
Special staffing levels have been introduced making a significant improvement in the teacher/pupil ratio. In 1983 the numbers of staff were maintained by me, even though in the case of some schools the number of pupils on the rolls had fallen.
Special grants for audio-visual aids and other equipment, along with increased grants for free books, were made available to these schools.
The schools have been given especially favourable consideration in the allocation of posts for remedial teaching — six such posts being allocated.
Special arrangements have been made to provide inner city schools with advice and support from the inspectorial and psychological services of my Deartment.
I shall continue to give inner city schools priority in relation to the allocation of available financial resources.