Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 6

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

John Perry

Ceist:

316 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has for the introduction of a formalised system of special teaching supports for all children attending schools on a fully integrated basis who have been assessed as having special educational needs; when this support will be put in place at Drumlease national school, Dromahair, County Leitrim, in view of the invaluable contribution made on the education development of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8803/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My announcement of November 1998, to which the Deputy refers, introduced a formalised arrangement under which all primary school children assessed as having special educational needs arising from a disability will be entitled to an automatic response to those needs.

The response in question may take the form of full-time or part-time resource teacher support or child care support, or both, depending on the number of children involved and the nature of their needs. Children with special needs attending ordinary primary schools on a fully integrated basis will particularly benefit from this new development. Already, as a result of this new development, in excess of 30 extra resource teachers and 150 child care assistants have been allocated to special needs children.

I understand that the school to which the Deputy refers has made application to my Department for the appointment of a child care assistant. This application is currently being examined by my Department's inspectorate. A decision will be made on the matter very shortly.

The Deputy will appreciate that the workload involved in dealing with a situation neglected for many years can cause some delays. This said, appointments of special supports for children are being made on an ongoing basis. This marks a considerable breakthrough from the policy which previously prevailed.