Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Noel Ahern

Question:

663 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the special speech therapy class at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the person responsible for controlling the selection criteria and selection of pupils for the class; if the school or his Department have control or an involvement in this regard; and if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will be admitted to the class for the next school year commencing September 2002. [8300/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

There are two special classes for specific speech and language disorder in the school referred to by the Deputy. The classes operate at a pupil teacher ratio of 7:1 and are capable of catering for up to 14 children. While my Department has responsibility for the provision of teaching and special needs assistant support for children with special needs, responsibility for the provision of speech and language therapy services rests with the relevant health authority.

An advisory admissions committee has been established to assess the suitability of pupils for admission to the above classes. The committee generally consists of the school principal, the class teacher, the speech therapist, the local school inspector and a psychologist from the relevant health board. I have asked my Department's Inspectorate to investigate the needs of the child in question with a view to ensuring that suitable provision is made available.