Vol. 522 No. 4
246 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of classroom assistants who have been allocated to assist children with special needs; and if he will classify these by category of special need (details supplied) to which they are catering. [18851/00]
My Department has sanctioned a total of 1,040 full-time special needs assistants and a further 148 post equivalents in part-time hours, to cater for children with special needs.
The posts in question are allocated to support children with special needs attending special schools; special classes; and mainstream schools on a fully integrated basis.
Childcare assistant support can be made available in any situation where the need for such support has been identified on the basis of professional assessments. In some situations a special needs assistant may cater for children with a variety of disabilities.
In general, childcare assistant support is made available in respect of children falling into the disability categories identified by the special education review committee and at the level recommended by that committee.
Details of the precise number of special needs assistants catering for specific disability groups are not readily available in my Department.
247 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with specific speech and language disorders who are currently receiving education; the number who are being provided with a tailored special class providing for such needs; and the number of special classes and pupils involved on a county by county basis. [18852/00]
My Department does not have details on the number of pupils with specific speech and language disorders in the education system.
However, there are currently 41 special classes in place in 33 primary schools catering for pupils with specific speech and language disorders. Each special class, which caters for a maximum of seven pupils, has been established where a need has been identified and supported by up to date psychological and speech therapy reports in respect of the children in question. Each class is supported by a class teacher and the pupils attract enhanced capitation funding. A speech therapy service is provided to the class by the relevant health authority.
A schedule of the special classes in place is set out below.
Special Classes for Specific Speech and Language Disorders
|
County |
Roll No. |
School |
Number of Classes |
|
Cork |
12473 |
Sc. Mhuire na nGrás, Greenmount |
2 |
|
Clare |
16677 |
C.B.S., Ennis |
1 |
|
Donegal |
17728 |
Woodlands N.S., Letterkenny |
1 |
|
Dublin |
10296 |
St. Marnock's N.S., Portmarnock |
1 |
|
Dublin |
11525 |
St. Patrick's, Drumcondra |
2 |
|
Dublin |
19541 |
Scoil Ard Mhuire, Belgard, Tallaght |
1 |
|
Dublin |
19472 |
St. Mark's Jnr. School, Springfield |
2 |
|
County |
Roll No. |
School |
Number of Classes |
|
Dublin |
19939 |
Good Shepherd N.S., Churchtown |
2 |
|
Galway |
19401 |
Scoil Chaitríona Jnr., Renmore |
1 |
|
Galway |
19468 |
Scoil Chaitríona Snr., Renmore |
1 |
|
Galway |
20042 |
An Croí Ro Naofa, Balllinasloe |
1 |
|
Kerry |
13530 |
Convent of Mercy, Tralee |
1 |
|
Kerry |
19512 |
St. Oliver's, Ballycasheen, Killarney |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
19925 |
Sc. Mhuire, Parnell Street |
2 |
|
Laois |
13386 |
Sacred Heart N.S., Portlaoise |
1 |
|
Limerick |
6936 |
St. John's Cathedral Place |
1 |
|
Limerick |
17951 |
Courtney NS, Newcastle W |
1 |
|
Limerick |
18677 |
Scoil Mháthair Dé, Sth. Cir. Rd. |
2 |
|
Longford |
18178 |
St. Joseph's Convent N.S. |
1 |
|
Louth |
19673 |
St. Joseph's N.S., Dundalk |
1 |
|
Louth |
19479 |
St. John's N.S,. Rathmullen, Drogheda |
1 |
|
Meath |
16646 |
St. Mary's, Trim |
2 |
|
Mayo |
18542 |
St. Patrick's BNS, Castlebar |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
17150 |
Scoil Mhuire, Monaghan |
1 |
|
Offaly |
18797 |
St. Joseph's, Tullamore |
1 |
|
Sligo |
19974 |
St. John's National School |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
16344 |
St. Mary's Jnr. BNS, Nenagh |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
12180 |
Pres. Convent, Clonmel |
1 |
|
Waterford |
19955 |
Presentation Primary School, Waterford |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
934 |
Presentation Convent, Mullingar |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
20073 |
St. Mary's National School, Athlone |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
17025 |
The Downs NS |
1 |
|
Wexford |
20002 |
St. Aidan's, Enniscorthy |
1 |
|
Total |
41 |
