Vol. 520 No. 5
21 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the national survey conducted by the INTO which found that hundreds of primary pupils with special needs were being taught in school corridors due to a chronic lack of space for remedial and resource classes; the steps being taken to address this serious problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16132/00]
I am not aware of the survey to which the Deputy refers. The management authorities of schools may apply to my Department for capital funding towards improved or additional accommodation to cater for children with special educational needs, including remedial education. The appropriate response to the accommodation needs of a school will vary depending on the specific circumstances and the number of children involved. Accommodation for special needs pupils may take the form of a permanent extension to an existing school or, where the need is more immediate, prefabricated units may be provided.
In all cases, a process involving determination of long-term need, architectural planning, the procurement of planning permission and a fire certificate, a tender competition and the engagement of contractors will be necessary. My Department makes every effort to process such matters as speedily as possible.
Funding for special needs accommodation is provided from within the allocation for primary school buildings, which in the current year amounts to £81 million. This level of funding represents a very substantial increase on that available in previous years and I am satisfied that it is sufficient to meet current requirements, including accommodation requirements arising in the special needs area.
The remedial and resource teaching services have undergone very significant expansion in recent times. In September 1999 the remedial teacher service was extended to every primary school in the country. This development involved the allocation of an additional 164 remedial teacher posts and brought the number of remedial teachers in the primary sector to 1,465.
