The role of the resource teacher is to act in support of ordinary teaching staff dealing with handicapped children attending ordinary classes.
The resource teacher model is a recent innovation and is used in particular circumstances, as an alternative to the visting teacher service which is also targeted on supporting handicapped children in ordinary schools. At present, thirteen resource teacher posts are in place throughout the country.
When resource teacher posts become available they are allocated on the basis of priority of need, following the collection of data from schools by my Department's Primary Inspectorate. Resource teachers must be fully qualified primary teachers and any such appointments are made in accordance with the Rules for National Schools.
While no new resource teacher appointments have been made to-date in 1994, the question of further such appointments is being actively considered. My Department has not received an application for a resource teacher from schools in Achill. However, if an application is submitted to my Department, the matter will be fully considered in the context of any future appointments.
