Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 5

Written Answers. - Teaching Posts.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

144 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he will take to approve remedial, resource and liaison teachers for a school (details supplied) in County Meath (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 960 pupils have none of these services; the steps, if any, he will take to rectify this situation for the beginning of the school year beginning September 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14587/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Ex-quota remedial and resource posts are allocated to second level schools on the basis of priority of need and having regard to existing provision within schools and the recommendations of my Department's psychological service.

I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that there are many competing demands for increased funding in all sectors of education. These demands are considered within the overall budgetary constraints.

I can assure the Deputy that the position of the school referred to by him will be kept under review and will be considered when next it is possible to allocate additional ex-quota remedial and resource posts.

It is my intention to expand the home-school-community liaison scheme as resources permit. The position of the school referred to will be given full consideration in the context of any further expansion of the scheme.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have granted an additional allocation of 9.5 whole-time teacher equivalents to the school for the 1998-9 school year on the basis of a projected increase in enrolments.