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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 7

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Ivor Callely

Question:

58 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the policy, if any, he has in relation to pupils with special needs; his views on whether the supports for children with special needs should be in place without delay after appropriate assessment in view of the fact that delays in the required supports cause further complications; the procedures, if any, there are to avail of these supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10963/98]

I am firmly committed to ensuring that all children with special educational needs have access to an adequate education service. I would also be most anxious to ensure that such provision be made available without undue delay.

An Action Programme for the Millennium gives particular priority to this area through its commitment to equal opportunity and the priority it attaches to the provision of remedial teachers and resources for children with special learning difficulties.

Where special needs children are concerned, it is necessary to view each case on an individual basis. For some children, the nature of the special need may be such that the child can function quite successfully in an integrated setting with the support, where necessary, of a remedial teacher, a resource teacher, or a visiting teacher.

It is estimated that there are approximately 8,000 children with special needs attending primary schools on a fully integrated basis. A total of 1,242 remedial teachers; 78 resource teachers and 42 visiting teachers are deployed to assist these children. This includes a total of 54 remedial teachers; 32 resource teachers and two visiting teachers newly appointed in the current school year. There will continue to be cases where the nature or severity of the special need is such as to require placement in a special school or special class attached to an ordinary school. A wide range of such facilities are provided and each receives a special level of staffing and funding which reflects the severity of the needs being catered for. It is my intention to continue to support these facilities.

My Department is prepared to consider any application for support on behalf of pupils with special educational needs. All such requests should provide details of the individual children and the nature of the special needs involved.
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