Vol. 495 No. 3
99 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Cork at a special class is unable to avail of the school facilities in view of the fact that no personal assistant is available to her; and the steps, if any, he will take to resolve this problem. [19880/98]
I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. I understand that the child in question is attending school at present.
My capacity to allocate additional posts of child care assistant in any given year is dependent on resource availability and the level of competing demand from other special needs areas. I have to determine priorities and allocate available resources to best effect.
I can assure the Deputy that I am conscious of current difficulties in relation to the level of provision in the child care area. I am currently reviewing provision in this area to ensure that all available resources are applied to maximum effect.
The needs of the child in question will be fully considered in the context of any development which may take place in this area.
