Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Seán Crowe

Question:

624 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who was assessed in June 2003 as having no hearing in their right ear and serious literacy and concentration problems; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that on the basis of the psychologist's assessment this person is entitled to two and a half hours resource teaching a week and that there is no sign of this resource teaching being provided by his Department; the reason for this; and the implications it has for the Government's proposed legislation on the education of persons with disabilities when it fails to live up to its current obligations. [20712/03]

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

I am aware that an application for resource teaching support has been received in my Department for the pupil in question. All applications for resource teacher and special needs assistant resources received after 14 February 2003 and by 31 August 2003 will be examined on the basis of the supporting professional report(s) and in the context of the resources already available to the school. The process involves an examination of each application and supporting documentation by a dedicated team of inspectors and psychologists and schools will be informed of the outcomes as early as possible in the school year 2003-04.