Vol. 492 No. 7
345 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the age regulations, if any, in place for children with special needs to complete their secondary education; if he has considered alteration of these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15074/98]
The rules for secondary schools define a "recognised pupil" as a pupil: who is not less than 12 years of age on the 1st day of January of the school year; who, as a rule, has completed a full course of primary education; and who is following an approved course. An upper age limit is not specified or applied in the case of second level students.
Pupils attending special schools which are governed by the rules for national schools leave school at the end of the school year following their 18th birthday. This age limit may be relaxed in instances where pupils of special schools are studying for a State certificate examination.
346 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the waiting period for children who have been assessed for placement in special schools; the demand for these placements; if he has satisfied himself that adequate places are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15075/98]
348 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 25 March 1998, the number of children awaiting placement in special national schools; if he will give a breakdown of the waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15077/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 348 together.
Details of the number of children awaiting placement across the special schools system and the waiting periods involved are not readily available to my Department.
I am aware that placement difficulties do arise from time to time in relation to special needs children. In such cases, my Department makes every effort to arrange a suitable placement as speedily as possible. In most cases, this can be achieved through the establishment of additional special classes dedicated to the particular special need involved.
My Department is prepared on an ongoing basis to facilitate the expansion of provision within the special school system or by way of special classes attached to ordinary primary schools, in any situation where suitable assessment reports confirm the need for such provision. In such situations, my Department works with the boards of management of the schools in question to put the necessary services in place.
Of the six schools mentioned in Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 25 March, 1998 only one school currently has a waiting list of children seeking placement in the school. In that particular case, my Department is currently involved in planning for an extension to the school to accommodate additional children.
