Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Galway will retain its full-time resource post and have its learning support increased to a full-time post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15850/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I trust that the Deputy is aware that my Department has now completed its review of the general allocation, or GA, system of resource teaching support. The new model replaces that which was notified to schools in June 2004, which has been reviewed to take account of difficulties that it may have caused for smaller schools.

I can confirm that 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September to facilitate the implementation of the new GA system.

The introduction of the 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.

My Department is now devising school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the GA system. Those will be notified to schools shortly, along with the details of each school's individual allocation. That communication will clarify the position regarding the resource and learning support allocation available to the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that the circular will be issued before the end of the current school year.