Vol. 509 No. 6
571 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that working principals have to make applications to different sections of the special needs department and that all the assessments have to be sent more than once for computer grants, charts, books and other equipment; if he will streamline the system to ensure that principals have more time to deal with the pupils in the classroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21251/99]
I can assure the Deputy that my Department makes every effort to minimise the administrative requirements for schools who are seeking support services for children with special needs.
The Deputy will appreciate that requests for assistance in such situations can involve a variety of special needs and can relate to a variety of special support services. All such requests must be supported by relevant assessment reports confirming the needs in question. Where all the necessary supporting data is provided, the special education section of my Department will not require additional submissions from school. However, there are occasions where the data submitted by schools is not adequate to support all the elements of the support services being requested. In such situations, it may be necessary for my Department to revert to the school for additional data.
The difficulty to which the Deputy refers can particularly arise where, rather than identify all aspects of their needs in one submission, a school makes a number of separate applications over a period, each dealing with a particular element of need. My Department makes every effort to cross-reference such cases and minimise referral back to schools. However, it would be of significant assistance in minimising the difficulties to which the Deputy refers if applications for support in respect of specific children would incorporate the full range of services required and provide adequate supporting data in respect of all those elements as part of the one application.
572 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be provided for the provision of a second special needs assistant for Scoil Mhichíl Naofa national school, Stanhope Place, Athy, County Kildare, due to the unrealistic position whereby the assistant has the tasks of attempting to assist with 12 different classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21252/99]
My Department has already provided funding for the provision of four full-time special needs assistants to the school in question. Two posts were allocated to meet the needs of children enrolled in two special classes for autism, the third post to meet the needs of children assessed with special educational needs and the fourth post for the needs of a specific child. I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate the level of additional child care support, if any, required by the school in question. Upon receipt of this report my Department will contact the school.
573 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself with facilities for dealing with children with autism (details supplied) attending Scoil Michíl Naofa, Stanhope Place, Athy, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21253/99]
In September 1998 my Department sanctioned two special classes for pupils with autism in the school referred to by the Deputy. The classes, which cater for a maximum of 12 pupils, receive the support of two class teachers, two special needs assistants and enhanced capitation funding. In addition, my Department has recently sanctioned a third special needs assistant post to help the school cater for the needs of a specific pupil with autism. Funding of £3,000 was also provided to the school management in 1998 to assist with equipment needs of the special classes. I am satisfied that the required education supports are in place for the pupils with autism in the school referred to by the Deputy.
