Vol. 555 No. 2
211 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if appropriate remedial services will be provided for a person in a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if some service could be restored to this person. [18183/02]
Arising from an earlier inquiry from the Deputy, my officials were in contact with the authorities of the school in question. The school subsequently submitted an application for resource teaching support for the pupil. My Department's inspectorate considered the application and concluded that, based on the documentation provided, the pupil did not meet the Department's criteria for resource teaching support. The school authorities have been informed that additional information is required in order to give further consideration to this application.
I understand that the school affords priority for learning support to junior pupils. In general, my Department recommends that priority be given to providing learning support – remedial – teaching to pupils who are achieving at or below the tenth percentile in standardised tests in literacy/numeracy. My officials will be in further contact with the school in relation to the needs of the child to whom the Deputy refers.
