Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Education Needs.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

920 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, made towards the approval of a classroom assistant or child care assistance for a child (details supplied) in County Carlow; and the outcome of the visit by his Department inspectorate to the child's parents in October 1997. [2002/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

I am aware that an application for a child care assistant has been made to my Department on behalf of the child in question.

My Department's capacity to allocate child care assistant posts in any year is entirely dependent on resource availability and the level of competing demand across the special needs area. Where such posts do become available, they are allocated on the basis of priority of need. In recent years, available posts have generally been allocated to special classes which cater for children with a severe or profound mental handicap.

It is my understanding that, during the visit by a member of my Department's inspectorate to the child's parents, it was established that a voluntary organisation in the area has undertaken to provide a child care assistant for the child in question. I understand that efforts are currently being made to fill this post.

I further understand that during the course of the visit, the inspector offered to put home tuition in place for the child as an interim measure pending the child's return to school. However, this offer was not availed of by the child's parents. I am at present 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 this child will be considered in this context of any developments which may be undertaken.