Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

332 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who will be attending secondary school in Scoil Dara, Kilcock, County Kildare, in September 2003; if adequate special needs assistance will be given to this person in view of the huge adaptation this person will have to make and in further view of the level of assistance this person received at primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11878/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently allocated 2.5 hours additional resource teaching per week, as well as a special needs assistant for 10 hours per week, to the school in question for the 2003-04 school year to cater for the needs of the pupil concerned.

Dan Neville

Question:

333 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science when a special needs assistant will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [11888/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department received an application from the school referred to by the Deputy for an increase in resource teaching support and a full-time special needs assistant for the child in question. The child has been in receipt of four hours per week resource tuition since June 2002. Following a review of the application by the national educational psychological service, the school was advised by my Department in April 2003 that the extra supports sought could not be sanctioned. The application did not comply with the requirements of Department Circular 08/2002 for an increase in resource teaching support or the requirements of Department Circular 07/2002 for the sanctioning of special needs assistant support. The child continues to receive four hours per week resource tuition.