Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2005
349 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that two persons (details supplied) in County Monaghan who were assessed by Department personnel and found to need remedial tuition have now been advised that no remedial help is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5985/05]
View answerHaving confirmed the identities of the pupils in question with the Deputy's office, I wish to confirm that my Department considered applications for resource teaching support for both pupils. The school was advised on 4 February 2005 that the pupils do not qualify for resource teaching support as the applications did not meet the criteria for such support. The school currently has the services of a learning support teacher post and a resource teacher post supporting a total enrolment of 28 pupils. It would be expected that the special educational needs of both pupils can be met from within these resources. I understand that the assessments were carried out by a person who was a former member of my Department's staff.
350 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason special needs assistants in primary school both part-time and full-time staff receive holiday pay but assistants in third level colleges do not receive such a payment; the plans she has to review this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5987/05]
View answerPersonal assistants are utilised within third level colleges for certain classes of students with disabilities, mainly those with physical or mobility difficulties. The main source of funding for personal assistants is the fund for students with disabilities. Colleges of further and higher education can apply on behalf of students who require a personal assistant in order to participate equitably in their education. Contractual arrangements in relation to personal assistants vary between institutions. Most colleges either use agencies that supply personal assistants, or employ personal assistants directly on temporary part-time or wholetime contracts. In both cases, the employer of the personal assistant is required to comply with the relevant employment legislation which is in force at this time. In some smaller colleges, personal assistants are contracted on a self-employed basis directly by the student, who is provided with the necessary resources by their college.
The manner in which the personal assistants are employed is a matter for each institution. The terms and conditions of employment for employees who provide support for students with disabilities in third level is a matter for the individual colleges concerned.
