Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 4

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

269 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to provide education for a person (details supplied) and the six other children who have been assessed as unsuitable for mainstream education and who have been refused a place in the Good Sheppard School Language Unit, Churchtown, County Dublin, which is the only existing unit for children with severe speech and language disorders in south County Dublin. [17109/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate educational provision for the pupil in question and the need to establish additional special classes for pupils with specific speech and language disorder in the south County Dublin area.

Such special classes are established where a need has been identified and supported by up-to-date psychological and speech therapy reports. The establishment of a special class will require the availability of a speech therapy service from the South Western Area Health Board. My officials will contact the board to ascertain the availability of speech therapists in the south County Dublin area to support any proposed special classes.