Vol. 505 No. 4
160 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a resource teacher for St. Aenglis national school, Bridgend, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13884/99]
I recently announced a major new initiative in the special education area under which all children in the primary system assessed as having special needs arising from a disability 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-time or part-time resource teacher support or child care support, depending on the number of children involved and the nature of their needs.
I understand that no application for a resource teacher post has been received in my Department from the school in question. However, the school has written to my Department expressing concern regarding difficulties encountered in arranging assessments for pupils. This matter is being investigated at present.
I have also arranged for my Department's inspectorate to investigate and report on the special educational needs of pupils attending the school, with a view to ensuring that any necessary support is made available.
