Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 5

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

459 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; the steps being taken by his Department to establish whether this person's placement in a Steiner school arose from the non-availability of an appropriate service to meet his needs within the State funded school system; if his Department's investigations have established whether an appropriate service to meet this person's needs is available within the State funded school system; if his Department is prepared to fund this person's education in the Steiner school in which he is enrolled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5726/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following a review of the special educational needs of the pupil in question, my Department has approved the allocation of a special needs assistant on a full-time basis to support the child in his current school placement. The authorities at the school have recently been notified of this allocation.