Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 4

Written Answers - Remedial Education.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

313 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a full-time remedial teacher to Creagh national school, Ballinasloe, County Galway, where the number of pupils requiring remediation in English justify the appointment of a teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6380/98]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

320 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a remedial teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that families are refusing to enrol their children in the school due to the lack of remedial facilities. [6430/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 320 together.

I am not in a position at present to allocate additional remedial teacher posts to primary schools.

In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 1977-98 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 1997-1998 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 to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional remedial teacher allocations which may be undertaken.