Vol. 467 No. 4
200 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she will favourably review the case put forward by the Longford-Westmeath Down's Syndrome Association for a resource teacher to be based in Mullingar, County Westmeath in view of the fact that such a teacher would service the surrounding schools where there are Down's Syndrome pupils. [13542/96]
I am aware of the case put forward by the association in question in support of its requests for the appointment of a resource teacher to be based in Mullingar. As Minister for Education I have to consider how best to deploy available resources across a wide range of special needs, including the needs of children with Down's Syndrome. I have to determine priorities and try to allocate resources to best effect. As part of this process, consideration is currently being given to how my Department can best respond to the needs of children with Down's Syndrome, including those in the Longford-Westmeath area. I have asked that this consideration be completed as speedily as possible.
