Vol. 509 No. 6
561 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science whether a Down's Syndrome child (details supplied) is better off in terms of resource teacher access in 1999 compared to 1998; and if he will make a statement on the preferred level of support that such a child should be entitled to. [21166/99]
I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. Until June of this year, the school attended by this child had the services of a resource teacher who was shared with six other schools. The base school of the teacher in question was St. Mura's national school, Tooban, County Donegal. Following a review of the caseload of the resource teacher in question, my Department sanctioned a second resource teacher post with effect from September 1999, to cater for eligible pupils in these schools. This second post is based in Carndonagh national school, County Donegal and the pupil in question is on the caseload of this resource teacher. As a result of this reorganisation, the level of resource teacher support available to the pupil in question has increased from two and a half hours per week in 1998 to between three and four and a half hours per week, on alternate weeks, from September 1999.
My Department's inspectorate is currently examining whether further resource teacher support and the support of a special needs assistant is required by the school attended by this child. Officials from my Department will be in contact with the school regarding this matter in the near future.
