Vol. 520 No. 1
399 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the lack of educational provisions in the Finglas area for children over 12 years of age who present with conditions such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and other serious emotional and behavioural difficulties; whether he will consider the provision of a unit for such children as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15231/00]
Following the Government decision in November 1998 all children with special educational needs within the primary school system, including children with dsyslexia, ADHD and emotional-behavioural disorders, now have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs.
Many children exhibiting less serious forms of the behaviours associated with these disabilities are being successfully taught within mainstream classes, with the support where necessary of resource teachers.
Where more pronounced forms of the behaviour are exhibited, the children have access to a range of special support services, including special schools for pupils with emotional or behavioural disturbance, special class provision and special support from the support teacher scheme.
The national educational psychological service plays a role with regard to assessment and educational provision for pupils exhibiting persistent and maladaptive levels of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
My Department allocates additional resources to individual second level schools to cater for special needs pupils enrolled in those schools. Applications for resources are referred to the national educational psychological service and each case is considered on its merits.
I intend to keep the needs of all pupils with special educational needs and the consideration of how best to address these needs under regular review.
