Four resource teacher posts have been allocated to schools at post primary level in the area referred to by the Deputy. There are no resource teacher posts at primary level in that area at present.
Details of the number of children being helped by these teachers and the number for whom a need has been identified but who do not have a resource teacher service are not readily available within my Department.
I am not in a position at present to allocate additional resource teacher posts to primary schools. My capacity to allocate such posts in any year is determined by resource availability in that year and the level of competing demand from other special needs areas.
As Minister for Education, I have to consider how best to deploy available resources across a wide range of special needs, including the need for additional resource teacher posts. 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 teacher area. It is my intention to continue this process.
When I am next in a position to allocate additional resource teacher posts, the needs of schools in County Meath will receive every consideration.