Vol. 555 No. 2
227 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science his aims and objectives regarding the provision of special needs education for primary and secondary school students; the legislation proposed to deal with this issue; the legislative rights of students in relation to such education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18256/02]
Special education services seek to promote the inclusion of all children with special needs in the education system, regardless of the nature or level of special need involved. The aim is to ensure that all children with special educational needs can avail of as complete an educational experience as possible.
In support of this objective, children with special needs have access to a range of models of response. These extend from special schools which are dedicated to particular disability groups, through special dedicated classes attached to ordinary schools, to the support of children with special needs on a fully integrated basis in ordinary schools. All of these models of response involve the allocation of special levels of teaching and other supports which are based on the assessed needs of the individual child.
The Education Act, 1998 makes provision for children with special educational needs in respect of admission, access and accommodation, school planning and inspection of programmes. Underlying these provisions is the duty of the Minister to make available to each person resident in the State, including a person with a disability or who has other special educational needs, support services and a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs of that person. In addition, the Equal Status Act, 2000, prohibits discrimination, including discrimination on grounds of disability, by schools in the area of admissions, access, terms and conditions of participation and expulsion.
The Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill will provide a statutory framework within which the education of children and people who have special educational needs because of disabilities can be guaranteed. It will ensure provision for people with special educational needs through a dedicated mediation and appeals system and set out a range of services which must be provided. It will also establish the National Council for Special Education which will have responsibility for planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs.
228 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will find a suitable secondary school placement for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 who has verbal dyspraxia; the role his Department can play in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18258/02]
Enrolment in second level schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of individual schools and my Department does not interfere in decisions made by schools in such matters. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking second level places in an area. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, is available to all post-primary schools recognised by my Department. NEPS can advise on the management of any difficulties that pupils might experience and which may present problems in a school setting. Where appropriate it can also advise on any educational supports which might be required to ensure that a pupil's time in school is as productive and positive as possible.
To progress this case further a questionnaire has issued to the child's parents which will help identify his educational needs and provide my Department with their written permission to contact schools and the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, on behalf of this child.
