John Bruton
Ceist:255 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a learning support teacher to St. Nicholas Primary School, Longwood, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10588/02]
Vol. 551 No. 3
255 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a learning support teacher to St. Nicholas Primary School, Longwood, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10588/02]
St. Nicholas Primary School is currently in receipt of the services of a learning support teacher on a shared basis. The case made on behalf of the school for a full time learning support teacher post has been noted. The needs of the school will be taken fully into account in the event of additional learning support teacher posts becoming available.
256 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has committed to funding half the cost of a child care worker on an ongoing basis at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will now provide the funding. [10590/02]
I am aware of the circumstances of the school referred to by the Deputy. This school is already benefiting under a number of schemes aimed at addressing educational disadvantage. However, there is no scheme providing child care workers in schools generally and accordingly, it is not possible at this stage to give any commitment in that regard.
The Deputy is aware of the major new disadvantage programme, "Giving Children An Even Break" which I launched last year, to deal with educational disadvantage in primary schools. "Giving Children An Even Break" is being run over a three-year period and will cost some €33 million with the allocation of over 200 teaching posts. The schools targeted under "Giving Children An Even Break" were identified through a comprehensive and objective survey of all primary schools carried out in March-April 2000 by the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra, on my Department's behalf.