Vol. 571 No. 2
254 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason home tuition costs sanctioned for a person (details supplied) have not been paid; and if it will be possible to expedite payment and respond to parents who contacted him. [21422/03]
A claim for home tuition in the case referred to by the Deputy was received in the special education section of 18 August 2003. A payment issued in respect of this claim at the end of August. I further understand an official from the special education section received an e-mail on 25 September from the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to a separate funding matter. Arrangements have been made to issue a payment in respect of same within the next few days. This person was advised of the position on 25 September.
255 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will put in place the special needs support personnel, already approved by the Department, in St. Mary's national school, Fairview, Dublin 3; the reason for the delay in putting these supports in place; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as a result of these delays the parent of one child must visit the school three times over a five hour period to check the blood levels of their diabetic child, a situation which has necessitated her leaving her employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21423/03]
Officials from my Department have contacted the authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy. An application for a special needs assistant will be made by the school as soon as supporting documentation from relevant professionals is received. The school was advised that the application would be treated as a matter of urgency.
256 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science when resource teaching hours will be made available to a person (details supplied) for the application submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21424/03]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department sanctioned 2.5 resource teaching hours per week for the pupil in question. A letter to this effect issued to the school authorities on 25 September 2003.
257 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason resource teaching hours were refused for a person (details supplied) in County Galway on the basis that the person did not meet his Department's criteria for resource teaching support as stated in circular 08/02, in view of the fact that a psychologist had assessed the person and certified that based on the assessment results the person meets his Department's criteria for resource teaching support as stated in circular 08/02; and if he will reconsider this matter based on the findings of the psychologist who carried out the assessment [21425/03]
I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. A review by the national educational psychological service indicated that the child in question did not meet my Department's criteria for resource teaching support as per circular 08/02. It is a matter for the school authorities to consider if the needs of the child could be met from within their current learning support teacher provision.
