Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 7

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

237 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the level of payment to be made for childcare facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick for assisting a person with special needs in view of the fact that the payment was sanctioned in November 1997. [11136/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My Department has approved the allocation of a child care assistant for five hours per week, with effect from November 1997, to cater for a special needs pupil attending the school in question.

The hourly rate payable is based on the minimum of the salary scale for child care assistants which is currently £9,219 per annum.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

238 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction a personal assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Cork who will be enrolling in a school in County Cork in September 1998. [11139/98]

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 referred to by the Deputy.

The 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.

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 this child will be considered in this context.