Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

185 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the numbers of children who require learning support attending schools in Callan, County Kilkenny, is more than double the number laid down by the Department relative to pupil-teacher ratios; the reason his Department has informed one of the schools that this cannot be reviewed until June 2002; if he will investigate the matter and make available the appropriate supports for the school in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31274/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The schools referred to by the Deputy currently share a learning support teacher post. I understand the enrolment in the schools in question is 267 pupils. All available learning support teacher posts have been allocated as part of the process of extending the learning support service to every primary school in the country with a pupil teacher ratio of 10:1 or above. I am continuing to keep the learning support provision under review. The needs of the schools in question will be taken fully into account in the event of additional learning support teacher posts becoming available for distribution.