Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 March 2004
149 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for special educational resources that were received by his Department prior to 31 August 2003; the number of applications that have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9700/04]
View answer153 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are 7,000 children on waiting lists for special needs resources; and the measures he proposes to take to reduce this list. [9806/04]
View answer161 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for special educational resources received by his Department since 31 August 2003; the number of applications that have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9703/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 153 and 161 together.
Approximately 5,000 applications for special educational resources, or SER, were received between 15 February and 31 August 2003. Priority was given to some 1,000 cases involving children starting school last September and all these cases were responded to at or before the commencement of the current school year.
The balance of approximately 4,000 applications have 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.
My Department has received a further 2,722 SER applications since 31 August 2003. The arrangements for processing applications received after this date will be considered in the context of the outcome of discussions on a weighted system of allocation of resource teaching support. Further communications will be sent to schools in this regard.
