Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 6

Written Answers. - Special Needs Pupils.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

141 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department is in possession of full information of the special need pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; whether this information, which she requested from the school in her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 2 April 1996, was submitted to her two weeks prior to 2 April 1996; the plans, if any, she has to sanction, on a trial basis, the recommendation of the special education review committee of a weighting ratio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8621/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 2 April 1996, I was aware that the school in question had sought special consideration in view of the presence of a number of special needs children.

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received a letter from the school concerned on 20 March 1996, giving some details on eight children with special needs who are enrolled there. In suggesting that the school provide details of the individual children, I had in mind more specific information. In particular, the fact that my Department would require psychological and physiotherapy reports for the relevant children.

I have now made arrangements for a member of my Department's primary inspectorate to visit the school in order to discuss the needs of these children and to examine any available assessment reports.

While I am not in a position at present to provide any resource teacher posts to primary schools, I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the school in question will be given every consideration when such posts next become available.