Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 2

Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

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 full or part-time teacher support or child care support, depending on the number of children involved and the nature of their needs.

The school attended by the pupil in question has applied for additional teaching support to cater for this pupil's special educational needs. All such applications are now being considered by my Department in the context of the new development in special needs provision. I expect that responses to such applications will begin to issue in the near future and continue through 1999.

Brendan Smith

Question:

405 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make provision for the special tuition needs for a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24741/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware of the case to which 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 special teaching or child care support or both, depending on the specific special needs involved.

The school attended by the child in question is one of a number of schools whose applications for resource teacher support are currently under consideration by my Department in the context of the new development in special needs provision. I expect that responses to such applications will commence in the near future and continue through 1999.