Vol. 565 No. 2
42 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether his Department is providing adequate support to children suffering from attention deficit hyperactive disorder and related difficulties in schools and the schools where these children are attending receive sufficient support and resources. [10210/03]
All children with special educational needs within the primary school system, including children with ADHD, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs.
The special educational needs of children with ADHD can be addressed in special dedicated schools, in special dedicated classes attached to ordinary schools, or on an integrated basis in ordinary schools. Decisions regarding the most appropriate model of response in each particular case are based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual child.
Many children with the condition in question are capable of attending ordinary schools on an integrated basis with the support, where necessary, of the resource teacher and/or special needs assistant services. Where the level of the condition is of a more serious nature, provision is made by way of special schools or special classes attached to ordinary schools. All such facilities operate at a maximum pupil teacher ratio of 8:1 and special needs assistant support is provided where required.
My Department allocates additional resources to individual second-level schools to cater for special needs pupils enrolled in those schools. Applications for resources are referred to the national educational psychological service and each case is considered on its merits.
It is my intention to ensure that all children, including children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, receive the support they require.
