Written Answers. - County Donegal Resource Teachers. Tuesday, 19 October 1993

Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 434 No. 8 Page of 129

  202.  Mr. McGinley      asked the Minister for Education      the primary schools in County Donegal who have applied for a resource teacher, the schools that have already been allocated such a facility; the criteria employed in deciding eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach):    My Department has an application for a resource teacher to be shared between the following group of schools in the Letterkenny area of County Donegal: Illistrim national school, Scoil Muire gan Smál, Scoil Cholmcille, Scoil Talamh na Coille, Scoil Mhuire, Baile na nGallóglach and Glenswilly national school. The creation of additional resource teacher posts in national schools in a particular year depends upon the teaching resources which can be made available in that year.

The role of the resource teacher is to support the ordinary teaching staff in meeting the special needs of handicapped children attending ordinary classes. When posts become available they are allocated on the basis of priority of need, following the collection of data from schools by my Department's primary inspectorate. At present, there are seven special resource teachers appointed by my Department. These teachers are based in the Cahirciveen, Clonakilty, Carrick-on-Suir, Clifden, Tuam, Gorey and Newbridge areas. While no resource teacher appointments have been made to date in 1993, the question of further such [1639] appointments is being actively considered. The needs of the schools in question will be considered in this context.

---

Last Updated: 22/05/2011 07:18:44

Page of 129