Deirdre Clune
Ceist:358 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and location of school places available in the Cork area for chil dren with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24043/99]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:359 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of places available for children with special needs in the Cork area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24044/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together.
Children with special needs in the Cork area are served by 11 special schools and a further 31 special classes which are attached to ordinary schools in the area.
The range of special needs catered for by these facilities includes autism; hearing impairment; mild general learning disability; moderate general learning disability; multiple disability; physical disability; severe-profound general learning disability; severe emotional disturbance; specific learning disability; and specific speech and language disorder.
In addition, a total of 41 resource teacher posts have been allocated to primary schools in the Cork area to assist pupils with special needs who are attending on a fully integrated basis.
I am arranging to forward to the Deputy a detailed list of all the special schools and special classes operating in the Cork area.
As a result of a Government decision in October 1998 all children with disabilities in the primary school system are now entitled to an automatic response to their needs. As a result of this development, my Department has already allocated an additional 183 resource teachers and 460 child care assistant posts to the primary school system.
My Department will continue to make any necessary provision available to special needs children, including children in the Cork area, whenever an assessed level of need has been identified.