Vol. 482 No. 6
440 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will approve the proposal for the establishment of the position of area special needs co-ordinator proposed by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in her submission to the assistant chief inspector at his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the issues raised in this submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18707/97]
I am aware of the submission to which the Deputy refers. The Department of Education and Science has allocated a significant number of posts to both special and mainsteam schools to provide for pupils with special educational needs. Some of these posts have been allocated to individual schools, while others cover a small cluster of schools. In each case the teacher appointed is responsible for co-ordinating his-her own work under the direction of the principal(s) of the school(s). This will involve teaching the relevant pupils, advising other teachers and, at times, liaising with other professionals and parents.
Special training courses are made available to teachers who teach pupils with special educational needs and they also receive the advice and support of my Department's inspectorate and of the psychological service, and of the visiting teacher service.
While the suggestions which the Deputy refers to are appreciated, it is considered that adequate arrangements are already in place in County Kildare to ensure that the work of each teacher with a responsibility for special needs is properly co-ordinated. It is not intended, therefore, to establish a post of area special needs co-ordinator.
