Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2010

Thursday, 18 November 2010

Questions (95)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

88 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children her policy on the provision of special needs assistants to preschool children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43385/10]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

As the Deputy is aware, a cross-sectoral working group was established by the Office for Disability and Mental Health earlier this year to develop and agree a framework for the inclusion of young children with disabilities in mainstream pre-school settings. I am advised that the Group's report will be completed in the coming weeks. It will then be circulated to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills for further consideration in the light of available resources and competing priorities for 2011 and subsequent years.