Vol. 487 No. 6
325 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary schools in Waterford city and county that do not have the service of remedial teachers; if he will take immediate steps to ensure that these schools will get this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4616/98]
344 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the national schools in County Kerry who do not have the services of a remedial teacher. [4834/98]
345 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the national schools in County Kerry who do not have the services of a resource teacher. [4835/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 344 and 345 together.
With regard to national schools in County Kerry which do not currently have a remedial service, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 494 of 2 December 1997.
The additional information requested by the Deputies is not readily available in my Department. However, I have asked my Department to compile the information in question and to forward it to the Deputies as soon as possible.
I am not in a position at present to allocate additional remedial or resource teaching posts to primary schools.
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 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 a remedial teaching service.
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 can assure the Deputies that the needs of the areas in question will be fully considered in the context of any additional remedial and resource teacher allocations which may be undertaken.
