Vol. 481 No. 1
285 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the appointment of a classroom assistant to help the work of the class teacher in view of the particular special needs of deaf children at the Sacred Heart primary school, Ballymahon, County Longford. [15738/97]
: Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have allocated an additional 15 child care assistant posts to the primary sector. These posts were allocated on the basis of priority of need as determined by my Department following consideration of data submitted by applicant schools.
As Minister for Education, I have to consider a wide range of competing demands across the special needs area. I have to establish priorities and respond to these demands as effectively as possible within available resources. I am at present reviewing provision across the special needs area, including the child care area, to ensure that all available resources are deployed to best effect. I can assure the Deputies that the needs of St. Patrick's national school, Drumcondra, and the Sacred Heart primary school, Ballymahon, will be fully considered in this context.
