Vol. 544 No. 1
259 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if a resource teacher can be provided to assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 who has a specific learning disability to enable her study for the 2002 leaving certificate examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28162/01]
My Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to second level schools to cater for the needs of 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 determined on the advice of the psychological service.
An application by the school authorities for additional teaching support in respect of the pupil referred to by the Deputy has not, as yet, been received in the relevant section of my Department. If such an application is received it will be referred to the psychological service for a report. As soon as the report has been received and considered, my Department will notify the school authorities of the decision.
260 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to develop a school in Kilkenny to cater for the formal education of children with autism over 12 years of age. [28167/01]
There are no plans at present in my Department to develop a school in Kilkenny to cater for the formal education of children with autism over 12 years of age. My Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to second level schools to cater for the needs of 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 determined on the advice of the psychological service. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, I will have the matter investigated if he provides me with the details.
