Vol. 486 No. 6
313 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the appointment of a resource teacher to schools (details supplied) in County Meath which each have a Down's Syndrome child in their school, in view of the fact that the teacher is required to ensure that the children can be taught locally and this is the wish of their parents, the teaching staff and boards of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3098/98]
318 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made to provide a remedial and resource teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Galway. [3103/98]
329 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the provision of a remedial teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3247/98]
339 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, his Department has to appoint remedial teachers to schools (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3278/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 318, 329 and 339 together.
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 arrangements were based on the allocation of surplus posts available for redistribution from the demographic dividend for the 1997-98 school year.
A total of 54 remedial teacher posts and 32 resource teacher posts have been allocated to primary schools with effect from September 1997. These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need for access to the remedial and resource teacher services.
I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including the remedial and resource teacher areas, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible.
I assure the Deputies that the needs of the schools to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional remedial or resource teacher allocations which may be undertaken.
