Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
139 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of the 380 new posts announced for classroom assistants which will be allocated to County Mayo; the number which will be allocated to the west Mayo area; and the number of these posts allocated to each school. [14692/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 350 special needs teacher posts that I announced recently will be allocated as part of a new weighted system of teacher support for pupils with special educational needs. This new weighted system will involve two main elements: (a) making a staffing allocation to schools based on a predicted incidence of pupils with special educational needs; and (b) making individual allocations in the case of children with more acute lower-prevalence special educational needs.
Transitional arrangements for the introduction of the weighted system are being developed at present in consultation with representative interests. It is not possible at this stage to confirm the outcome for schools in the Mayo area or the number to be allocated to each primary school.
