Vol. 522 No. 2
476 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has received an application for a personal assistant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan who wishes to attend Cavan College of Further Studies; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that conditional on her acceptance is the availability of a personal assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18245/00]
In addition to the financial assistance available under the grant schemes for further and higher education, students with disabilities attending courses in third level colleges and post leaving certificate centres may apply for assistance from the special fund for students with disabilities, which is administered by my Department. The purpose of the special fund is to provide grant assistance to students with serious physical and/or sensory disabilities towards the cost of special equipment, special materials and technological aids, targeted transport services, personal assistants and sign language interpreters.
Applications for assistance under the special fund are received by my Department at the beginning of the academic year. Completed application forms are normally forwarded to my Department by the disability officer, or the responsible officer of the institution.
I am aware that the person in question has benefited from the provision of special assistance in the school where she received her second level education. County Cavan Vocational Education Committee has now written to my Department requesting that such special assistance be made available to her for the coming academic year, while she is pursuing a post Leaving Certificate course. In responding to this request, my Department will explain the procedure involved to County Cavan Vocational Education Committee.
While my Department is not in a position to commit specific moneys from the special fund in advance of applications being received and decisions on funding taken, I would point out that, in previous years, students with serious disabilities have been considered a priority in terms of funding for equipment and personal support and tuition. The fact that the person previously had special assistance provided will also be taken into account. Applications for assistance under the special fund will be dealt with expeditiously in order to ensure that awards are made at the earliest possible date.
477 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department's inspector did not evaluate personally the needs of a person (details supplied) in County Meath who is attending a national school and needs a remedial service; the way in which the Department inspector reached the decision on the person without an examination; the reason the parent has not got any formal communications from the Department regarding the decision; if the Department has decided that no remedial service will be provided to any child in sixth class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18246/00]
I am aware of the case in question.
My Department's inspectorate has reported on this case. The pupil referred to by the Deputy is currently in fifth class and is in receipt of remedial support until the end of the current school year. The pupil was recently tested by the school in the Drumcondra attainment test and the results indicate an improvement in her ability.
The tests results were examined by the Department inspector who also consulted with the principal and the remedial teacher attached to the school. The inspector advised the school that the child does not meet the criteria for remedial support as recommended by the special education review committee.
The Department has not decided that no remedial service will be provided to any child in sixth class. The school is free to provide a service to any pupil where it is satisfied that the service is in the best interest of the pupil having regard to the needs of other pupils who might need services.
My officials will be contacting the child's parents in the very near future.
478 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 592 of 10 May 2000, the progress to date in securing a suitable school placement for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if his Department has contacted any schools or the national educational psychological service on behalf of this person; the outcome of these contacts; and if greater urgency will be given to this matter in view the length of time this person has been without adequate education. [18247/00]
The pupil's parents have supplied all relevant reports to the staff of the national educational psychological service, which has examined the case and has suggested several options to be explored in order to make suitable educational provision for this pupil. My Department is currently investigating these options and will be in contact with the pupil's parents very shortly in the matter.
