Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Jul 1997

Vol. 480 No. 2

Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

320 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the current situation on the request from St. Brigid's national school, Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, for the provision of a new resource teacher or a share in such a teaching post in view of the number of pupils with specific learning difficulties; if he will give a commitment on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13469/97]

Minister for Education (Mr. Martin)

In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the next school year with the Irish National Teachers Organisation.

These agreed arrangements were based on the allocation of all surplus posts available for redistribution from the demographic dividend for the 1997-8 school year and included the allocation of 26 resource teacher posts to primary schools with effect from September 1997.

Accordingly, I am not in a position at present to allocate additional resource teacher posts to primary schools. However, I can assure the Deputy that the needs of all schools, including the schools to which he refers, will be considered in the context of any future allocation of resource teacher posts which may be undertaken.

With regard to the installation of new heating system in the school to which Deputy O'Keeffe refers, my Department has authorised the school manager to seek tenders for the work in question. As soon as tenders have been received, a decision on funding will be conveyed to the school manager.