Vol. 537 No. 5
536 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a special package to overcome difficulties at St. Anne's Primary School and St. Joseph's Primary School, Rathkeale, County Limerick. [16649/01]
A comprehensive examination of provision for Traveller education in the two primary schools in Rathkeale has been carried out by my inspectorate in co-operation with management, staff and parents representatives. In parallel, the schools, with the support of the national school development planning service, have engaged in a process of needs identification and planning. In the light of the inspectors' findings and of the plans drawn up by the schools, I am providing a package of supports to help the schools to address the issues identified. The package includes the allocation of additional teaching staff and special needs assistants to both schools; the creation of a post of administrative principal at St Joseph's National Schools with the consequential appointment of a classroom teacher; augmentation of the current funding to the schools in respect of caretaking and secretarial services; the funding of a comprehensive in-career development programme in both schools; and refurbishment and other works at both schools. The package has been explained in detail to the boards of management and teachers of both schools, and to parents' representatives at meetings held on 25 May 2001.
