Vol. 503 No. 3
525 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a full-time remedial teacher for Our Lady's Grove primary school, Goatstown Road, Dublin 14 for the school year commencing September 1999 in view of the fact the contents of a letter of 22 March 1999 furnished by the school to him setting out the needs of the pupils. [9593/99]
545 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if a full-time remedial teacher will be sanctioned for the Convent of Jesus and Mary primary school, Our Lady's Grove, Goatstown, Dublin 14 to help children with learning difficulties who are socially disadvantaged and whose first language is not English. [9663/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 545 together.
I am aware of the issues raised by the school in the letter to which Deputy Shatter refers.
With regard to the remedial teacher service, my priority at present is to ensure that all schools which currently have no remedial service will have access to such a service from September next. Arrangements to put this extension of service in place are currently being made in my Department.
I can assure the Deputies that the remedial needs of the school to which they refer will be fully considered in the event of additional resources becoming available to improve existing remedial services.
The school currently has the support of a shared resource teacher to cater for children with disabilities. In view of the issues raised by the school, I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate the school's needs in this area with a view to determining what, if any, additional support may be required. The needs of children whose first language is not English will be considered as part of this process.
