Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of the pressing need to secure a permanent resource teacher for Esker national school in Esker, County Galway. At present the Department of Education allocates resource teachers on the basis of need calculated by time. A resource teacher may work across two schools to make up the total time allocation. These allocations are temporary unless the hours can be provided by teachers on permanent contracts.

Regrettably, this has been the experience of Esker national school for quite some time. For the last three years the school has had an allocation of between 20 and 23 hours, which when combined with other schools creates a full 25 hour post. Every year the school community expresses the hope that the Department will see sense by allocating a permanent position in light of obvious demand and the fact that the school falls short by only a few hours. However, each year the post is sanctioned on a temporary basis. This is frustrating for all concerned but especially for the pupils and resource teacher, whose employment has not been made permanent even though she returns to the school year after year. There is no certainty for the teacher, the school or the students who depend on her. Based on the repeat allocation of resource teachers on temporary contracts, it should be clear to the Department that a permanent resource teacher is required at the school in light of the demand arising. I understand the Department is relying on temporary positions until such time as it introduces a new model but schools like Esker national school have no clear idea of when the new model will be introduced or what it will comprise. They have a rational fear that they will be left worse off after the introduction of a new model. It is important that the Department assuages their fears in this regard.

I call on the Minister of Education and Skills to clarify this issue by expediting the introduction of a new model and, taking into consideration my submission, moving to secure a permanent resource teacher for Esker national school. The school deserves one because it is ridiculous that it requires 25 hours on a weekly basis to have a permanent teacher even though it has established a need for between 20 and 23 hours. For the sake of certainty in our educational system, it is imperative that the school's resource teacher post be made permanent.