Vol. 543 No. 2
813 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to develop a structure of posts for the provision of support services for children with special needs within the secondary school system; and the criteria for post appointments in secondary schools for this purpose. [26460/01]
My Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to ordinary second level schools to cater for special needs pupils. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authorities. Each case is considered on its merits and deter mined on the advice of the psychological service. In the past school year, 240 resource posts, 135 special needs assistant posts and the equivalent of approximately 142 whole-time teacher posts in concessionary teaching hours were allocated to ordinary second level schools to cater for pupils with special needs. I will continue to make further resources available in response to identified needs.
Question No. 814 answered with Question No. 794.
Question No. 815 answered with Question No. 737.
