Vol. 557 No. 6
141 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the mechanisms and support available to parents of special needs children who wish to move their children from special needs schools to ordinary primary schools under mainstreaming arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23150/02]
142 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the mechanisms available to enable dual enrolment to occur to assist special needs students to make the transition from special needs schools to ordinary primary schools by spending a number of days per week in each school; the procedures and assistance involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23151/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.
Children with special educational needs may transfer from special schools to special classes attached to ordinary primary schools or to ordinary classes where they may attend on a fully integrated basis with the support of the resource teacher and special needs assistant service. In considering such transfers, it is important to have regard to the professionally assessed needs of the child involved and his or her capacity to function successfully in the more integrated setting. My Department is considering the issue of dual enrolment in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy and how this might be accommodated in terms of resourcing the two schools involved for the period of the child's attendance.
