Vol. 495 No. 7
742 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a remedial teacher for the schools of Lisdowney, Gathabawn and Clontubrid, County Kilkenny, in the context of the Estimates for the employment of additional teachers in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21753/98]
749 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have arrangements made to appoint a remedial teacher to serve Killadooley national school, Ballybrophy, County Laois, in view of the fact that adjoining schools in the area have the benefit of a remedial teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21797/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 749 together.
I recently allocated 60 remedial teacher posts to national schools with effect from September 1998. There are now 1,302 remedial teacher posts in place in national schools. My capacity to allocate additional remedial teacher posts in any given year is dependent on resource availability and the level of competing demand from other special needs areas.
I will continue to review needs in this area. In the event of additional remedial teacher posts becoming available for allocation, I assure the Deputies that the needs of the schools to which they refer will be fully considered.
