Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 June 2004
115 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the three special needs teachers employed at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if these teachers will remain on at the school after the summer recess 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the vital work these teachers are performing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18738/04]
View answerI take it that the Deputy is referring to special needs assistants at the school in question. Special needs assistants may be approved to support a pupil who has a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where his or her behaviour is such that the pupil is a danger to himself or herself or other pupils. The criteria and procedures relating to the allocation of special needs assistant support are outlined in my Department's Circular 07/02. This circular may be accessed on my Department's website under children with special needs.
My Department continues to review existing arrangements for the allocation of special educational supports to primary schools. The basic purpose of the review is to ensure that each school has the level of resources required to cater for its pupils with special educational needs.
Since 1998, the number of special needs assistants in primary schools has grown from about 300 to in excess of 5,500 full-time and part-time posts. I wish to assure the Deputy that special needs assistants posts will be retained in schools where there is a continuing care need in accordance with Circular 07/02.
