Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 7

Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

399 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have arrangements made for a remedial teacher to be approved for a cluster school application (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that there are 300 pupils in this cluster group and in view of the inspector's recommendation in this regard; if approval will be given for this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6948/98]

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

402 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a remedial and resource teacher to Cappatuggle national school, Ballinasloe, County Galway, where the numbers qualify the school for this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7050/98]

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

410 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science when a remedial teacher will be appointed to St. Theresa's national school, Kilkelly, County Mayo. [7155/98]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

411 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide extra remedial teaching hours at Crecora national school, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7156/98]

Louis J. Belton

Ceist:

414 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a remedial teacher for Newtowncashel, Lanesboro boys, Lanesboro girls, Fermoyle and Cloontagh national schools in County Longford, in view of the size of the area and the urgent need for this appointment. [7159/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 399, 402, 410, 411 and 414 together.

I am not in a position at present to allocate additional remedial or resource teacher posts to primary schools. 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 1997-98 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.

I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including current responses to remedial and resource teacher needs, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible. I assure the Deputies that the need of the schools to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional resource allocations which may be undertaken.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

400 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will employ a remedial teacher for the Laghey and Ballintra area of County Donegal. [7026/98]

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

424 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science when a remedial teacher will be appointed for three primary schools (details supplied) in County Wexford; the level of priority attached to this application; and if he will give it his personal attention in view of the long-standing nature of this application. [7260/98]

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

445 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to appoint a remedial teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Meath as the board of management feels it is being discriminated against; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7425/98]

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

448 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has for the appointment of a remedial teacher to Cloughanover national school, Headford, County Galway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7428/98]

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

450 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a remedial teacher to the staff of Ballinderreen national school, Kilcolgan, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7430/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 400, 424, 445, 448 and 450 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 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 1997-98 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 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 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.