Vol. 529 No. 3
142 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress with regard to the request for necessary supports for St. Paul's special school, Beaumont, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1457/01]
Representatives of the school in question raised a wide range of issues when I met them in November 2000. I have asked my Department to report on progress made in relation to the issues in question and I will be in further contact with the Deputy in the near future in relation to these matters.
143 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the basis on which the development of a special school was approved by his Department further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 19 April 2000; his views on whether it would be beneficial for his Department to collate the number of children with special needs waiting placement in special schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1458/01]
If the Deputy will provide me with details of the particular school in question, I will arrange to provide him with the information requested.
The nature and level of support made available to children with special educational needs is based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual child. My Department's inspectorate is available to assist with decisions regarding suitable educational placements for such pupils.
In many cases, children exhibiting less serious forms of special need are capable of attending ordinary schools on a fully integrated basis. Such children can be supported by the resource teacher service and/or the special needs assistant service. The number of resource teachers catering for children with special needs in primary schools has increased from 104 in October 1998 to 742 by the end of year 2000. The number of special needs assistants has grown from 299 to 1,629 over the same period. My Department is continuing to allocate additional resource teachers and special needs assistants in response to identified needs.
