Vol. 491 No. 4
122 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will guarantee that a concessionary teacher will be provided for St. Fergal's junior national school in Bray, County Wicklow in view of the extreme need for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12375/98]
I am aware of the case made by the school in question for the allocation of a concessionary teacher post to address problems of educational disadvantage in the school. I am reviewing my Department's overall response to the problems of educational disadvantage. My objective is to ensure all available resources are properly targeted so that children who are educationally disadvantaged receive the support necessary to enable them to maximise their potential in the education system. The needs of the school to which the Deputy refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional resource allocations which may be undertaken to address educational disadvantage.
123 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give approval for the appointment of a guidance counsellor to Castleknock Community College, Dublin 15 (details supplied), which is expected to have approximately 650 pupils in September 1998 and is a fast expanding school in an area of greatest growth in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12376/98]
The allocation of ex-quota posts to individual second level schools in respect of guidance for a particular school year is determined by the enrolment in the school at the end of the preceding September.
The teacher allocation for the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee for the 1998-99 school year includes an allocation of 0.5 wholetime teacher equivalents in respect of guidance in Castleknock Community College. I will be in contact with the Deputy when I have had an opportunity to consider the issues he has outlined.
