Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Michael Ring

Question:

1304 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants funded by his Department for each school in County Mayo. [2439/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department is funding 28 full-time special needs assistants serving four special schools in County Mayo.

In addition, funding is provided for a further 57 special needs assistants serving 50 mainstream primary schools in County Mayo. Details of the schools in County Mayo, in which funding is provided for 85 special needs assistants, are set out in the following table.

School Name	School Category
St Anthony's Special	Special
St Brid's Special	Special
St. Dympna's	Special
St Nicholas Special School	Special
Brackloon NS	Mainstream
Scoil an Chroí Iosa, Ballina	Mainstream
Garracloon	Mainstream
Knockmore NS	Mainstream
St. Patricks, Westport	Mainstream
Eachléim NS	Mainstream
St Michael's NS	Mainstream
S N Colmcille	Mainstream
Glencastle	Mainstream
Fahey NS, Co Mayo	Mainstream
Bangor Erris NS	Mainstream
St. Joseph's N.S., Cong	Mainstream
Killawalla NS, Westport	Mainstream
Scoil Naomh Pádraig	Mainstream
Crossmolina GNS	Mainstream
Bofield NS	Mainstream
Killocraun NS	Mainstream
Dukenella NS	Mainstream
Carrotigue NS, Ballina, Co Mayo	Mainstream
St Caillins NS	Mainstream
St Joseph's NS	Mainstream
Kinaffe NS	Mainstream
Killasser N.S.	Mainstream
Currane NS	Mainstream
Valley NS	Mainstream
Myna NS	Mainstream
Roundfort NS, Hollymount, Co Mayo	Mainstream
Clarin NS, Co Mayo	Mainstream
Scoil Íosagáin, Convent Hill, Ballina Co Mayo	Mainstream
Carrowholly NS	Mainstream
St Paul's National School, Islandeady, Co Mayo	Mainstream
Manulla NS	Mainstream
Drumgallach NS	Mainstream
Dooagh NS	Mainstream
Scoil Pádraig, Ballina, Co Mayo	Mainstream
St Patrick's Boys NS, Castlebar, Co Mayo	Mainstream
S N Bráithre Críostaí	Mainstream
Aughalasheen NS, Belmullet, Co Mayo	Mainstream
St. Angela's NS	Mainstream
Knockrooskey NS	Mainstream
Leitir NS, Castlebar, Co Mayo	Mainstream
Ballyvary	Mainstream
St Mary's NS, Ballyhaunis	Mainstream
Newport NS	Mainstream
Barnacarroll NS	Mainstream
Scoil Raifteirí	Mainstream
St Patrick's NS	Mainstream
S N Pádraig Naofa	Mainstream
Scoil na gCeithre Maol	Mainstream
St Joseph's NS	Mainstream

Michael Ring

Question:

1305 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants funded by his Department for schools in each county; if he has any plans to increase the number of special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2440/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The total number of full time equivalent special needs assistant posts sanctioned by my Department to-date is 1708.

The breakdown of posts sanctioned on a County basis is as follows;

County	Number of Posts
Carlow	14
Cavan	30
Clare	55
Cork	266
Donegal	72
Dublin	355
Galway	94
Kerry	48
Kildare	78
Kilkenny	41
Laois	28
Leitrim	4
Limerick	110
Longford	17
Louth	43
Mayo	71
Meath	53
Monaghan	12
Offaly	19
Roscommon	13
Sligo	22
Tipperary	75
Waterford	52
Westmeath	40
Wexford	43
Wicklow	53

My Department will continue to allocate additional special needs assistant posts in response to assessed needs.

Michael Ring

Question:

1306 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will fund three special needs assistants for a special primary school (details supplied) in County Mayo on a full-time basis. [2445/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The school in question applied to my Department for four special needs assistant posts to cater for a number of pupils with special needs attending the school.

My Department sanctioned one special needs assistant post for the school in December, 2000. The school's need for additional special needs assistant support is currently being investigated by my Department's inspectorate. The school authorities will be advised of the outcome as soon as the inspectorate has reported.