Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 5

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

204 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will respond to the points raised in the most recent letter addressed to him by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in relation to her son's education. [27998/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy. I have asked my officials to respond as soon as possible, but not later than the end of December, to the specific points raised in the correspondence. My Department does not have a psychological service available to the area where this child lives. However, in view of the child's special needs, a psychologist from my Department was asked to draw up an individual educational plan in consultation with the child's parents and the school which he attends.

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 which the child attends is one of a number of schools that will be considered in the context of this new arrangement for full or part time resource teacher support.

I have recently allocated a special needs assistant to facilitate the special needs of this child in his local national school.