95 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools in County Galway at primary level which do not have the service of a remedial teacher and a resource teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12336/01]

In September 1999 the remedial teaching service was extended to all primary schools with a pupil-teacher ratio of 10:1 or above. Schools with lower pupil-teacher ratios were advised that they could seek remedial support where they could demonstrate a need for such a service.

There are two primary schools in County Galway which do not currently have a remedial teacher service. The schools in question are Lurga NS, Gort and Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Columba, Inishturk, Renvyle. Both of these schools have a pupil-teacher ratio of less than 10:1.

Resource teacher support is provided to address the needs of children with disabilities who are attending primary schools on a fully integrated basis. The support may take the form of a full-time teacher allocation or an allocation of part-time hours. The level of support provided in any individual situation is determined by the professionally assessed needs of the pupil or pupils involved.

At present there are 54 full-time resource teachers serving 162 primary schools in County Galway. In addition, a further 44 primary schools in the county have been allocated part-time hours support.

The following is a list of those schools currently in receipt of resource teacher support in County Galway:

Schools served by full-time resource teacher posts on an individual or shared basis.

96 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps being taken to preserve subject choice in small secondary schools with declining enrolments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12290/01]

The teacher allocation for an individual secondary school for a particular school year is determined by the enrolment in the school at the end of the preceding September.

Where the allocation warranted by the enrolment is reduced due to falling enrolments, it is open to the authorities of the school concerned to apply to my Department for the retention of teachers who may be scheduled for redeployment. They may also apply for a concessionary allocation to cater for particular curricular difficulties in the school. Each case is considered on its merits.