Michael Ring
Ceist:256 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a remedial teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo on a shared basis. [5453/98]
Written Answers - Remedial Education.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:278 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the acute lack of resources to meet the needs for remedial education, particularly in primary schools; and the resources, if any, he will make available to meet this need, as well as to provide more specialised schools for pupils with learning needs in view of the fact that there are only three in the country, all based on the south side of Dublin. [5616/98]
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:283 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of two remedial teachers to service a group of schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5771/98]
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:284 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the current position in relation to the provision of remedial help for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5772/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 256, 278, 283 and 284 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 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 teacher area, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible. I can assure the Deputies that the needs of the schools in question will be fully considered in the context of any additional remedial teacher allocations which may be undertaken.
At present there are four special schools and three special classes attached to mainstream national schools, catering for pupils with a specific learning disability. Three of the special schools are in Dublin and one in Cork. The special classes are based in Malahide and Tallaght. My Department will consider any proposal from the board of management of a school to establish similar classes where a need for them has been identified.