I am aware from the national English reading surveys of fifth class pupils in primary schools that about 10% of these pupils have serious reading difficulties.
Since September 1999 the remedial service has been extended to all primary schools with a pupil teacher ratio of 10:1 or above. Schools with lower pupil teacher ratios may seek remedial support from my Department where the level of their particular need warrants such a service. There are currently, 1480 remedial teachers working in primary schools.
Shortcomings in children's reading competencies at the time of transfer to second level schools will limit their potential subject choice. For this reason my Department provides an English course at foundation level in the junior certificate in addition to the normal two levels. The junior certificate school programme is also available in schools for such pupils.
All second level schools in the free education scheme have an entitlement to an ex-quota allocation in respect of remedial education since the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year. The general position is that schools with enrolments of 600 or more pupils are allocated a full post; schools with enrolments below 600 pupils are allocated 0.5 of a post. However, schools with enrolments below 600 which were specifically allocated a full post in respect of remedial education by my Department prior to the 1999-2000 school year retain their entitlement to an allocation of a full post.
The question of increasing the ex-quota allocation in respect of remedial education at second level will be considered in the context of available resources and having regard to the report of the expert group on teacher allocations which is expected to be available in the near future.
