Vol. 533 No. 1
148 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide financial assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to cover the private tuition costs for his son who is repeating his leaving certificate. [8357/01]
The National Educational Psychological Service is available to all post-primary schools recognised by my Department to offer advice on the educational supports required by pupils suffering from any of a number of specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia. My Department then puts in place the educational supports recommended by the NEPS.
Pupils affected by specific learning difficulties by the time they are preparing for State examinations may be given special consideration by my Department in relation to the junior and leaving certificates. Depending on the circumstances of each case, pupils may have examination papers read to them, may tape their answers on audio-tape, may type their answers on word processor, or may use an amanuensis.
My Department also operates a scheme for the provision of grants for schools towards the purchase of equipment for the use of pupils with certain disabilities or communication difficulties. Computer equipment and software are items that may be provided. Under the terms of the scheme the school authorities make an application in respect of an individual pupil.
My Department is restricted in the way it spends funds voted for its use by the Oireachtas. The overall rationale governing expenditure is to make the best provision possible for all eligible students, having due regard to the overall amount of funds available. For these reasons, I regret that my Department is not in a position to provide financial assistance for this student's private tuition costs.
