Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 1

Written Answers. - Resource Teacher Appointment.

Brendan Kenneally

Ceist:

155 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Education the current position in relation to the appointment of a special needs teacher between two schools (details supplied) in Waterford city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14686/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the application from the two schools in question for a resource teacher post.

I am not in a position at present to make additional resource teacher posts available to the schools referred to by the Deputy or to any primary schools.

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 teacher 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 1994/1995, 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 resource teaching area. It is my intention to continue this process.