Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - Remedial Teachers.

M. J. Nolan

Ceist:

163 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Education when a remedial teacher will be appointed to serve the primary schools of Drummond, Glynn, Newtown, Ballyglisheen and Ballymurphy in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19463/96]

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

169 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the lack of remedial teaching facilities at primary school level in the Edenderry electoral area of County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19050/96]

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

195 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if she will include the application from the boards of management of schools (details supplied) in County Carlow for a remedial teacher when further appointments are being made; and when new appointments will be announced. [19275/96]

Mary O'Rourke

Ceist:

202 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she will have arrangements made to review the case of three schools (details supplied) in County Longford who have put forward a case for a shared remedial teacher; if her attention has been drawn to the social circumstances and needs of these schools in respect of such a service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19350/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 169, 195 and 202 together.

I am aware of the cases which have been made to my Department for the introduction of a remedial teaching service in the areas in question.

I am not in a position at present to allocate additional remedial teachers to primary schools. When I am next in a position to extend the remediation service, the needs of the areas in question will receive every consideration.

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 and 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.

In the current 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.