Vol. 494 No. 4
416 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will check with the South-Eastern Regional Health Board to ensure that a personal assistant is provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has a physical disability due to an accident and cannot continue his education unless an assistant is provided; and if he will intervene in this urgent matter. [18375/98]
443 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if adequate funding will be arranged for a special school (details supplied) in County Mayo for child care assistants which are a necessity. [18583/98]
462 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that a child care assistant is provided for a person (details supplied) in County Meath who attends St. Anne's, Loreto Primary School, Navan, County Meath, and who has special needs; and if he will deal with this case as a matter of urgency. [18762/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 443 and 462 together.
My capacity to allocate child care assistant posts in any year is entirely dependent on resource availability and the level of competing demand across the special needs area. Where such posts do become available, they are allocated on the basis of priority of need and are particularly targeted on special schools and special classes catering specifically for children with disabilities.
I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including the child care area, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible. I can assure the Deputies that the needs of the areas to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional child care assistant allocations which may be undertaken.
I understand that the specific case raised by Deputy McGuinness has not previously been brought to my Department's attention. However, I am arranging to have the matter investigated by my Department's inspectorate.
