Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 736: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of the resource teacher allocation for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005; and the schools in County Mayo which were allocated resource teachers and resource hours. [19447/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available. However, I can confirm that the number of resource teaching posts in primary schools nationally has grown from fewer than 200 in 1999 to approximately 2,600 at present.

The Deputy will be aware of the new general allocation system for pupils with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia, mild and borderline general learning disability as well as those requiring learning support. The introduction of this 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. Pupils with lower incidence special needs, such as autism, will continue to be catered for on an individual application basis.