Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Remedial Service.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

494 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the national schools in County Kerry that do not have the services of a remedial teacher. [21357/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

There are 144 ordinary national schools in County Kerry, and 35 of them do not currently have access to a remedial service. Details of these schools are on the following list.

Approximately 76 per cent of schools and 92 per cent of primary school children in County Kerry have access to a remedial teaching service.

List of Schools in County Kerry which do not have access to a remedial teaching service.

1.	Tullaha NS, Kenmare
2.	Scoil Eoin, Killarney
3.	Scoil Barr Dubh, Lisnagry
4.	Scoil Naomh Cá rthach, Na Foighre, Killarney
5.	Scoil Naomh Mhichil, Sneem
6.	Castledrum NS, Castlemaine
7.	Glenflesk NS, Killarney
8.	Raheen NS, Headford
9.	Scoil Bhríde, Ballybunion
10.	Drumcrin NS, Listowel
11.	Bunglash NS, Glencar
12.	Coolard NS, Listowel
13.	Cromane NS, Killorglin
14.	Douglas NS, Killorgan
15.	Knockanes NS, Headford, Killarney
16.	Derryquay NS, Tralee
17.	Curraheen NS, Glenbeigh
18.	Scoi Ná isiúnta An Bhreac Chluain, Anascaul
19.	Boleshill NS, Glencar
20.	Scoil Náisiúnta Cill Cruinn, Listowel
21.	Kiltallagh NS, Castlemaine
22.	An Leann Mhór NS, Béal Átha Longphoirt, Via Listowel
23.	Cahorreigh NS, Killarney
24.	Na Muinteoga NS, Headford, Killarney
25.	Scoil Mhuire NS, Brosnagh, Tralee
26.	Scoil Marie Assumpta, Milltown
27.	Scoil Náisiúnta na Gleanna Bhéithe, Glenbeigh
28.	Scoil Mhuire NS, Cluain Chaoin, Killarney
29.	Fibough NS, Castlemaine
30.	Milltown Monastery BNS, Milltown
31.	Castlemaine NS, Castlemaine
32.	Kilgarvan Central NS, Kilgarvan
33.	Ballyduff NS, Tralee
34.	Gaelscoil Faithleann, Killarney
35.	Scoil Eoin Báiste, Garraína dTól, Lispole

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

495 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of remedial teachers currently working in primary schools; the number of schools served by these teachers; the duration of tuition given to necessitous pupils where the teacher works exclusively within one school and where the teacher serves a number of schools on a shared basis; the study, if any, which has been undertaken by his Department on the effectiveness of the remedial service; if all needy pupils have equal access to remedial teachers; and if there is consensus on the optimum level of remedial tuition that should be available to primary school pupils. [21401/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

There are 1,242 remedial teacher posts allocated to 2,459 primary schools. The working week for a full-time remedial teacher in a primary school is not less than 28 hours and 20 minutes. Where a remedial teacher is assigned to a cluster of schools, travelling time may reduce the number of hours available for teaching.

An initial survey of the remedial service by my Department's inspectorate demonstrated a need to reorganise existing provision to achieve a more effective targeting of resources. It also identified a need to place much greater emphasis on preventative strategies in schools, including early identification strategies and differentiated teaching.

In order to address these matters, my Department, in consultation with the education partners, is currently involved in a thorough remedial education study. The study is focusing on: the numbers of pupils receiving a remedial service; the criteria for inclusion in and withdrawal from remedial classes; the organisation of remedial teaching in schools; the development and implementation of policy on remedial teaching in schools; and record keeping and reporting.

The outcome of the study will be of value in the context of future development of the remedial service and in determining the optimum level for the remedial service.

Pupils who are performing at or below the tenth percentile on standardised tests should have priority for the remedial teacher service attached to their schools.