Dan Neville
Question:492 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of education for a 13 year old person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [23074/00]
Written Answers. - School Placements.
My Department is not aware of the details of this case.
Enrolment in second level schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of indi vidual schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking second level places in an area. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The national educational psychological service – NEPS – is available to all post-primary schools recognised by my Department. NEPS can advise on the management of any difficulties that pupils might experience and which may present problems in a school setting. Where appropriate, it can also advise on any educational supports which might be required to ensure that a pupil's time in school is as productive and positive as possible.
In order to progress this case further a questionnaire has issued to the child's parents which will help identify his educational needs and provide my Department with their written permission to contact schools and the NEPS on behalf of the child.
Question No. 493 taken with Question No. 487.