Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2005
699 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the need for a full-time resource teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow and the significant growth in pupil numbers, the school will be granted a full-time resource teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22165/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new general allocation scheme has been announced under which schools will be provided with resource teaching hours, based on their enrolment figures, to cater for children with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia and those with learning support needs. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.
The general allocation for the school in question is 20 part-time hours. My Department has received a proposal from the school in question regarding the deployment of this allocation. An official in my Department was recently in contact with the school authorities to discuss the options available to the school. The matter is still under consideration and a letter confirming the final position will issue to the school in the coming days once a decision has been reached.
