Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I also welcome the opportunity of raising this issue, because it is a serious problem in my constituency. The problem occurs in small urban and small rural schools and in particular, those in disadvantaged areas lose out. As Deputy O'Sullivan has noted, it is ironic that if the same people attended school in a more affluent area, the lower level of disadvantage and special needs would enable them to receive one-to-one educational attention. However, given the intensity of disadvantage and the intensity of special needs education requirements in inner city schools and in small schools in particular, the situation remains lopsided because of the weighting system.

I wish to ensure that people are not discriminated against in this manner. At a minimum, no school should lose out as a result of the new weighted system. Most parts of the country have benefitted because of their low proportion of special needs requirements. However, schools have not benefitted where there is a high proportion of special needs requirements, but have lost out. As Deputy O'Sullivan has noted, 14 schools in my constituency have already lost at least one teacher and other teaching posts are under threat and may well be lost next year.

I understand that a review will take place next month to mark the end of the year. It must take these matters into consideration so that either the ratio is reduced or it ensures that all the teachers who were there to begin with remain. While a proper assessment of needs should also be carried out, at present this is impossible, as there are insufficient psychologists available to do it. However, we know that a child loses out if he or she is not assessed at the proper time, and his or her needs identified, if he or she has special needs.

Hence, a serious problem exists. I hope the Minister recognises it and that it will be included in the review mechanism that is to be implemented next month. I also hope the Minister can ensure that all the affected schools will retain the teachers they have and can ensure that they benefit further from the new weighted system.

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