Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 6

Written Answers. - Child Care Assistants.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

153 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a child care assistant to Scoil Chill Ruadhain, Glanmire, County Cork, in view of the fact that the school caters for a number of children with special needs. [14731/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware that an application for a child care assistant has been made very recently to my Department on behalf of the school referred to by the Deputy.

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. I am at present reviewing provision across the special needs area to ensure that all available resources, including child care support, are deployed as effectively as possible. I can assure the Deputy that the needs of Scoil Chill Ruadhain will be considered in this context.