Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Remedial Teachers.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

201 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education whether she will appoint additional remedial teachers to the primary school sector in 1996; if so, the criteria that will be used in deciding the way in which these remedial teachers will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14068/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am not in a position to make additional remedial teacher posts available to primary schools.

Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have allocated an additional 241 remedial teachers to the primary sector. A total of 1,188 remedial teachers are now in place who have the percentage of pupils who have access to a remedial service has increased from 77 per cent to 87 per cent.

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, 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 remedial area. It is my intention to continue this process.