Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 6

Written Answers. - Allocation of Remedial Teachers.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

85 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education if she will appoint an extra teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan in view of the increased number of pupils: the arrangements, if any, she has to improve the facilities for remedial teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9714/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The authorised staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the 1995-96 school year is a principal and six assistants. This staffing allocation is based on the September, 1994 enrolment figure of 214 pupils, and is the same allocation as the school currently enjoys. The principal teacher of the school has indicated that the enrolment of the school in September 1995 will be approximately 220 pupils. If this enrolment cannot be organised within maximum class size guidelines, the school's application for an extra teacher will be reviewed.

While the school to which the Deputy refers currently has a remedial teaching service, as I recently announced, I intend to allocate an additional 55 remedial teacher posts to the primary school sector in the very near future. These posts will be allocated on the basis of priority of need following the collection and analysis of data from primary schools by my Department's primary inspectorate.

The needs of all schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be considered in the context of this allocation.