asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the appointment of a full-time remedial teacher in the vocational school. Roscrea, County Tipperary.

I understand that the services of a teacher qualified to undertake remedial education are already assigned to Roscrea vocational school.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary not acknowledge that the services of this teacher are being made available on a part-time basis? What is required is a full-time teacher to cater for the growing number of children needing remedial training, particularly in view of the fact that there are good and effective services at primary level but with no follow-up at second level.

My information is that the chief executive officer of the vocational education committee is satisfied that the services of this teacher, who is fully trained as a remedial teacher, are adequate to meet the needs of the children. If the Deputy considers that is not the case I suggest he might take up the matter with the vocational education committee.

I acknowledge that the teacher is fully trained. Nobody is going to question that.

I was not saying that the Deputy suggested that.

If a proposal comes from the VEC for the employment of a full-time remedial teacher, which this teacher is not although he is fully qualified, will the Parliamentary Secretary meet such a proposal and sanction it as soon as possible?

We will investigate any proposal that comes from the VEC on this matter but obviously I cannot anticipate a decision at this stage when an application has not been received.