253 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is threatened with the loss of two teachers from September 2005 even though the school is much in need of special education needs teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33639/04]

I am conscious of difficulties that could arise with the proposed new model of resource teaching provision, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed.

Accordingly, I will review the proposed model, including the clustering arrangements associated with the model, to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented next year. The needs of the school in question will be considered in the context of this review.

It is important to emphasise that applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence special educational needs.

254 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is threatened with the loss of 1.5 teachers from September 2005 even though the school is much in need of special education needs teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33640/04]

I am conscious of difficulties that could arise with the proposed new model of resource teaching provision, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed.

Accordingly, I will review the proposed model, including the clustering arrangements associated with the model, to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented next year.

It is important to emphasise that applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence special educational needs.