Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2007

Wednesday, 26 September 2007

Questions (672, 673)

Michael Creed

Question:

767 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a pupil (details supplied) in County Cork is being denied resource hours at their primary school when in the opinion of the Health Service Executive senior speech and language therapist they meet the eligibility criteria laid down in her Department circulars 0205 and 003807; if the details of this case have been brought to the attention of her Department by the NCSE; and if she will consider an appeal against this decision. [20568/07]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

My officials have been in contact with the National Council for Special Education and I understand that the application on behalf of the pupil in question did not meet the criteria for individual resource hours under Specific Speech and Language Disorder. However, the pupil will have access to support from the school's learning support/resource teacher.

The NCSE will undertake to review a decision taken by a SENO on foot of a request from a school or parents/guardians, when accompanied by relevant additional information, which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. The NCSE has outlined this process in its Circular 01/05.

Michael Creed

Question:

768 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the instructions that have issued from her Department to special education needs organisers or to the national council for special education in respect of entitlement for children presenting with phonological disorders. [20569/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I wish to advise the Deputy that Circular 0038/2007 — Criteria for Enrolment for Pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD) — issued to all primary schools in April 2007 and is available on my Department website at www.education.ie. A copy of this Circular was also furnished to the National Council for Special Education for their information. The circular contains advice on the eligibility criteria for enrolment in special classes of children with SSLD and associated matters. I am arranging for a copy of this circular to be sent to the Deputy.

Question No. 769 answered with QuestionNo. 733.