Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 7

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

397 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to carry out major refurbishment work on St. Nicholas of Myra primary school, Kinsealy, County Dublin; if he will appoint a remedial teacher for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6946/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

An architect from my Department visited St. Nicholas of Myra national school on 27 February 1998 to report on the need for improvements to the school. This architectural report is currently being finalised.

In relation to the school's request for a new prefabricated classroom, this matter has been referred to my Department's planning section for its views and recommendation on the long-term accommodation needs of the school.

On receipt of both reports, my Department's primary buildings section will be in touch with the chairperson of the board of management. It is my intention to ensure that the sub-standard accommodation will be replaced and that the school will have the accommodation it requires to meet local demand.

In March 1997, the outgoing Minister for Education agreed staffing arrangements for primary schools for the next 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 1997-8 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 remedial tuition.

I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including current responses to remedial needs, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible. I assure the Deputy that the needs of the school to which she refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional remedial teacher allocations which may be undertaken.