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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

84 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress of discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the implications for teacher numbers and the pupil-teacher ratio of the decision announced in the budget to reduce public service numbers by 5,000 and to impose a freeze on future recruitment; the number of teaching positions that will be affected by these decisions; the way in which it will affect the promised appointment of extra resource teachers and special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5817/03]

My Department is engaged in ongoing consultation with the Department of Finance regarding the implementation of the decision to which the Deputy refers. It is not possible at this stage to quantify the implications, if any, of this decision for staffing allocations in the education system.

The resource teacher and special needs assistant services support children with disabilities who are attending school on an integrated basis. All children with special needs within the primary system have an automatic entitlement to such support. The precise nature and level of support provided is based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual child. Access to these services will continue to be available.

Question No. 85 answered with Question No. 19.

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