Vol. 489 No. 6
741 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 845, 884 and 949 of 28 January 1998 and the attached response (details supplied) of the mother of the child in question regarding enrolment in second level schools, he will reconcile the areas of disagreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9155/98]
As I have previously stated the selection and enrolment of pupils in second level schools, is, in the first instance, the responsibility of individual schools. However, in exceptional cases, my Department does become involved in trying to establish how best the needs of individual pupils can be met and assists in seeking a school placement. My Department will provide the resources which are identified as being necessary to support a pupil with special needs in a school placement.
The pupil referred to in the Deputy's question is receiving some home tuition at present. I can confirm that this is an interim measure pending the placement of the pupils in a second level school to pursue the leaving certificate applied programme commencing in the 1998-99 school year. My Department is working to secure an appropriate school placement for this pupil.
