Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004
301 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Galway with special needs will be given the opportunity to do a suitable course in the junior certificate at their own school; and if the family will be given the maximum support and advice. [32112/04]
View answerApart from meeting requirements for the provision of the core subjects, the curriculum offered in individual second level schools is a matter for the authorities of the school concerned. Each school management authority is required to organise its timetable and subject options having regard to pupils' needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. Where a pupil with special educational needs enrols in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply to my Department for additional teaching support and special needs assistant support for the pupil.
My Department allocates additional teaching support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and vocation education committees to cater for pupils with special educational needs. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupils involved and having regard to a range of factors including the overall resources available to the school. My Department has sanctioned a total of 16 additional teaching hours per week and ten special needs assistant hours per week to the school in question to cater for the special educational needs of several pupils, including the pupil to whom the Deputy refers. Where a school authority is of the view that the level of needs within the school is such as to be incapable of being addressed from within its current allocation, my Department will consider these concerns.
302 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will consider sanctioning a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32114/04]
View answerMy Department has received an application for special needs assistant support from the school to which the Deputy refers. It will consider the application and convey a decision to the school at the earliest possible date.
