Vol. 481 No. 3
138 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science whether he intends to help a child (details supplied) in County Mayo who has cerebral palsy by providing him with a classroom assistant; and, if not, the reason therefor, in view of the fact that lack of funding should not be a sufficient reason to deny a child a proper education. [15999/97]
Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have allocated an additional 15 child care assistant posts to the primary sector. These posts have been 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 provisions across the special needs area, including the child care area, to ensure that all available resources are deployed to best effect. I assure the Deputy that the needs of the child in question will be fully considered in this context.
