Vol. 503 No. 3
599 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has established an external expert committee to review the question of special arrangements in State examinations for people with specific learning disabilities; the time scale involved for this committee to report to his Department; the implications, if any, in relation to the upcoming State examinations in June of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10128/99]
In late 1998 I requested the examinations expert group to provide me with a preliminary report on the question of special arrangements at the State examinations.
The indications are that this report will be available to me shortly. It is my intention to initiate a full review of the operation of the special arrangements provisions based on the report from the expert group. The last such review which took place between 1992 and 1994 was conducted internally in the Department. On this occasion I intend to have a more inclusive and wide-ranging review by inviting submissions from interested parties.
It is hoped to invite submissions within the next month and to provide until the end of the current school year for submission of responses to the preliminary report. The invitation process will include public advertisement.
The expert group will require time to consider any submissions in the light of their own preliminary views and to make recommendations to me on any revisions deemed necessary. I am also anxious that the review will fully take into account best international practice in this regard. The aim is to be in a position to have any revisions in place in time for implementation at the examinations in 2000.
600 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the appointment of an assistant to the School of the Holy Spirit, Kilkenny which cater for a number of autistic children and requires a special assistant as a matter of urgency; if he will have investigations made into the need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10129/99]
I am aware of the issue to which the Deputy refers.
I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate the needs of the pupils in question with a view to putting any necessary support services in place as speedily as possible.
