An internal committee of my Department meets from time to time to ensure effective liaison in the area of special educational needs. It includes representatives of the inspectorate, special education section and the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. As part of its work, the committee commissioned a screening project with the aim of informing policy and practice on the effective use of resources to support children with special educational needs, including children with disabilities.
The project was overseen by NEPS, with assistance from the educational research centre in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra. It involved the assessment of all pupils in second to sixth class in mainstream primary schools in the town of Dundalk and in the county of Leitrim. Teachers in 55 schools administered group tests of cognitive ability and of reading and mathematical attainment to 3,897 pupils and also completed questionnaires on individual pupils, on concerns not amenable to normal screening methods.
Statistical analysis of the results has proved to be time consuming, but I understand that the final report on the project will be presented to me before the end of 2004. I shall consider the findings in the report with my officials and decide on the appropriate response.