Vol. 483 No. 6
478 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will appoint the two school class assistants to the Glencastle national school, Belmullet, County Mayo in view of the concerns of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21129/97]
479 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of school class assistants who have been appointed in County Mayo; and the plans, if any, he has to appoint more school class assistants, in view of the concerns of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21130/97]
480 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria on which the appointment of school class assistants are based. [21131/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 478, 479 and 480 together.
When available, child care assistant posts are allocated on the basis of priority of need. Posts which have become available to date have generally been allocated to special schools and special classes catering for children with disabilities. The child care needs of children with severe or profound mental handicap has been a particular area of focus. To date, a total of nine child care assistant posts have been allocated to County Mayo.
I am not in a position at present to allocate additional child care posts to primary schools. However, I am reviewing provision across the special needs area, including the child care area, to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible. I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the school to which he refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional allocation of special supports which may be undertaken.
