454 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science when a resource teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28595/01]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently sanctioned 2.5 hours per week resource teaching support for a pupil with special needs attending the school in question.

455 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications received for the appointment of resource teachers to primary schools in County Meath; the number of applications throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28597/01]

Resource teacher posts are allocated to support children with special needs who are attending mainstream schools on a fully integrated basis. The level of support provided in any individual case is based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual child. At present, there are more than 1,000 resource teachers in place in primary schools. Thirty of these teachers are in primary schools in County Meath.

I am arranging to forward the Deputy details of the number of applications for resource teacher support currently in hand in my Department from primary schools in County Meath. Details of the number of such applications received from schools throughout the country are not readily available and would take an inordinate amount of time to compile.