Michael Ring
Ceist:555 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education when extra tuition will be provided to a pupil (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that it was promised some time ago. [14268/97]
Written Answers - Remedial Service.
In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 1997-98 school year with the Irish National Teachers Organisation.
These agreed arrangements were based on the allocation of surplus posts available for redistribution from the demographic dividend for the 1997-98 school year and included the allocation of 51 remedial teacher posts to primary schools with effect from September 1997. These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need for remedial tuition.
I understand that the case to which the Deputy refers was investigated by my Department during the allocation of these remedial posts, with a view to the possibility of providing some remedial teaching hours for the child in question. However, I am advised that this arrangement did not prove possible within available resources.
I am at present reviewing provision across the special needs area, including current responses to remedial needs, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible.
I can assure the Deputy that the particular case to which he refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional allocation of special supports which may be undertaken. In the meantime, I have arranged for a member of the Department's inspectorate to examine this case further.