Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

319 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 223 of 1 December 1999, a decision has been made on an application from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 for a second special needs assistant; his views on whether each of the two special needs pupils require an assistant if integration is to be achieved successfully; if an urgent decision on this matter will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2439/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

In October 1999 my Department allocated a special needs assistant post to the school in question to cater for the two special needs children for whom support had been sought. A subsequent application from the school sought the allocation of a further special needs assistant post to cater for the children in question. The school's application was considered by my Department's primary inspectorate. However, the view of the inspectorate was that the allocation of a second special needs assistant post was not warranted. The school authorities have been advised of this decision.