650 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department is reducing the remedial class numbers by 50% in a school (details supplied) in County Meath; if he intends making an allocation of funds for the upgrading of this school from the 2002 budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8186/02]

My Department has not made any proposal to reduce remedial class numbers in the school in question as suggested by the Deputy. In 2000, as part of my Department's reading initiative, learning support guidelines were provided to all schools, aimed at ensuring that all children achieve appropriate levels of literacy and numeracy during the course of their primary education. The learning support guidelines recommend high levels of co-operation between class teachers, learning support teachers and parents in supporting children who are experiencing learning difficulties.