Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

1144 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the additional resources he will make available to a school (details supplied) in County Cork to provide the necessary level of service for children therein with special needs. [1402/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department's inspectorate is currently considering an application for special needs assistant support at the school in question.

My officials will be in contact with the school authorities when this process has been completed.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

1145 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a classroom assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [1403/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for special needs pupils. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authorities. Each case is considered on its merits and determined on the advice of the psychological service.

My Department has already approved the allocation of additional teaching hours to County Cork VEC to cater for the educational needs of the pupil in question. To date, my Department has not received an application from the school authorities for a special needs assistant in respect of this pupil. If such an application is received, it will be referred to the psychological service for a report and, as soon as the report has been received and considered, my Department will notify the VEC of the decision.

Question No. 1146 answered with Question No. 1097.