Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 978: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if sanction will be given for the appointment of a part-time or full-time learning support teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Cavan. [11126/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's records show that the school in question currently has the services of a shared learning support teacher post, supporting a total enrolment of 63 pupils in the school.

I trust that the Deputy is aware of the proposed new system for resource teacher allocation which involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence special educational needs of mild and borderline mild general learning disability and dyslexia.

I am conscious of difficulties that could arise with regard to the proposed model for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly, my Department is currently reviewing the proposal to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs. The review involves consultation with educational interests, including the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. The revised procedure for providing a general allocation of resource hours to schools will be announced in the coming weeks, in time to be implemented for the next school year.