Michael Ring
Question:293 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if part-time hours will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo attending a special school. [24086/98]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
I am aware of the child to whom the Deputy refers. I recently announced a major new initiative in the special education area under which all children assessed as having special educational needs will be entitled to an automatic response to those needs. The level and nature of the response in each case will depend on the assessed needs of the child or group of children involved. The response may take the form of a full or part-time resource teacher or child care support depending on the number of children involved and the nature of their needs.
The school in question is one of a number of schools who have applied to my Department for assistance in meeting the needs of particular children, including the services of a special needs assistant. All such applications will now be considered in the context of this new arrangement. I expect that additional allocations of special needs assistant posts will commence in the near future and continue through 1999. I also expect that the resources required by the school in question to meet this particular child's needs will be allocated shortly.