Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 March 2012
59 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing failure of a school (details supplied) in County Cavan to introduce policy measures to allow a student of that school who is reliant on a trained assistance dog to attend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14416/12]
View answer60 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had any contact with a school (details supplied) in County Cavan in relation to its policy on the use of trained assistance dogs by students with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14417/12]
View answer61 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidelines currently in place for mainstream schools in addressing the needs of students reliant on trained assistance dogs; if he intends to review these guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14418/12]
View answer62 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the use of trained assistance dogs by students with disabilities in mainstream schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14419/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 to 62, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department provides for the care needs of children with special educational needs who require support in the classroom through the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme. The policy of my Department in relation to the SNA scheme is set out in Circular 07/02. I understand that SNA support has been provided for the child and the school referred to in the Deputy's question.
My Departments Inspectorate Division has been in contact with the school regarding this matter. However, as my Department does not provide for a classroom assistance dog scheme, there are currently no Departmental guidelines on this issue. It is a matter for the Board of Management of each school to develop a policy on whether guide dogs or assistance dogs are allowed in the school, taking account the individual circumstances of each case and also taking into account the needs of all of the children in the school.
