Beverley Flynn
Ceist:114 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science the minimum qualifications necessary to achieve a position as child care assistant in a special school. [3970/99]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
The minimum academic qualification for the position of special needs assistant in a special school is a grade D, or pass, in Irish, English and mathematics in the junior certificate or in an examination of equivalent standard. My Department will occasionally waive this requirement where the board of management of the school concerned requests such an exemption and can demonstrate that the candidate proposed for the post of special needs assistant in the school is the most suitable for the position even though he or she may not have the minimum academic qualifications.
Candidates must be between 17 and 65 years of age on 1 September of the year in which they take up appointment. Candidates' health must be such that they are able to carry out the duties of a special needs assistant in a regular and efficient manner.