Vol. 571 No. 1
689 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will outline the response to the special education needs of a young person (details supplied) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21175/03]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has sanctioned one full-time resource teacher and the services of a special needs assistant for one hour daily to cater for the special needs of the child in question. A letter to this effect has issued to the school authorities.
690 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will establish an appeals process for unsuccessful applicants who applied for special needs resources and have been turned down by the Department and NEPS; and if he will include in refusals a detailed, sensitive explanation as to why his Department is refusing resources. [21176/03]
Appeals may be made to my Department where additional information in support of the application for special needs resources is made available. Such appeals are considered by the national educational psychological service, having regard to official criteria for resource allocation.
More recent letters to schools advise why an application has been unsuccessful or only partially successful. Such letters generally include a comment as to why the resources sought were not granted. I have no plans to alter these arrangements for the time being.
