Vol. 562 No. 3
140 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined the requirement for special needs teachers throughout the country; his plans to respond to these requirements in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6046/03]
141 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the requirements in respect of remedial teachers on a countrywide basis; his plans to meet such requirements in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6047/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
I intend to continue the arrangements under which children in the primary system who have been professionally assessed as having special educational needs have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs. In this regard resource teachers and teachers for special classes will continue to be allocated as required. My Department also allocates additional resources to second level schools to cater for the assessed needs of special needs pupils.
Applications are submitted through the relevant school authorities. Each case is considered on its merits and determined on the advice of the national educational psychological service.
Officials in my Department are examining current levels of learning support – remedial – teacher provision in primary schools nationwide. When this exercise is complete and in the context of additional posts becoming available for distribution, consideration will be given to allocating additional support in accordance with my Department's learning support guidelines. All second level schools in the free education scheme qualify for an ex-quota allocation in respect of learning support. The question of increasing the allocation will be considered in the context of available resources.
