Michael Smith
Ceist:93 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will appoint a resource teacher immediately to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [11997/96]
Written Answers. - Resource Teacher.
The school in question currently has the services of a resource teacher on a shared basis. However, I am aware that the school has requested a service on a full-time basis. I am not in a position to make additional resource teacher posts available to primary schools. However, I am continuing to review needs in this area with a view to determining how best these needs can be addressed within available resources. The needs of all schools, including the school mentioned by the Deputy, will be considered in this context.
Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have allocated an additional 241 remedial teachers and 29 resource teachers to the primary sector. A total of 1,188 remedial teachers and 36 resource teachers are now in place. I consider that the substantial improvements which I have already achieved in this area provide practical confirmation of my commitment to the needs of the children in question. However, as Minister for Education I have to consider how best to deploy available resources across a wider range of special needs. I have to determine priorities and try to allocate resources to best effect.
During the period 1994-95, in addition to allocating an extra 155 remedial teachers and 23 resource teachers, I adopted a particular focus on the needs of children attending special schools and classes. In addition to reducing the pupil teacher ratios in all such facilities, I provided a very substantial increase in the special capitation rates applicable in such cases.
In the current school year, I have adopted a particular focus on children who suffer from educational disadvantage and have sought to target resources into this area in an effort to break the cycle of disadvantage. As part of this approach, I recently launched a major new initiative aimed at bringing special targeted assistance to children in selected urban and rural areas who suffer serious educational disadvantage. I am satisfied that since my appointment as Minister for Education I have achieved substantial advances across the entire spectrum of special needs, including the resources teaching area. It is my intention to continue this process.