Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2004
165 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of all schools in County Kerry which have applied for special educational resources; the number of children in each school awaiting these services; when the application was made in each case; the status of each application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6183/04]
View answerMy Department has received in the region of 140 individual applications for special educational resources, SER, from primary schools in County Kerry between 15 February 2003 and 31 August 2003 and approximately 50 individual applications after 1 September 2003.
SER applications received between 15 February and 31 August 2003, are being considered at present. In all, more than 5,000 such applications were received. Priority was given to cases involving children starting school last September and all these cases were responded to before or soon after the commencement of the current school year.
The balance of more than 4,000 applications has been reviewed by a dedicated team comprising members of my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. These applications are being further considered in the context of the outcome of surveys of SER provision conducted over the past year or so. Account is also being taken of the data submitted by schools as part of the recent nationwide census of SER provision.
The processing of the applications is a complex and time-consuming operation. However, my Department is endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible and my officials will then respond to all applicant schools. Pending a response, schools are advised to refer to circular 24/03, which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources already allocated for special educational needs within the school.
The arrangements for processing applications received after the 31 August 2003 will be considered in the context of the outcome of discussions on a weighted system of allocation of resource teaching support. A further communication will be sent to schools in this regard.
