Vol. 556 No. 2
61 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when details of the pilot course for special needs assistants will be circulated to all schools; the limitation in the number of course applicants; and the number of applications which have been received to date. [19162/02]
It is not intended to issue details of the pilot courses for special needs assistants to all schools. The training colleges have been given responsibility to organise the participation of special needs assistants on these pilot courses locally. In this regard notification, including an application form, will be circulated to local schools.
Three teacher training colleges, Mary Immaculate, Limerick, St Angela's College, Sligo and Church of Ireland Training College, Rathmines, will each deliver two pilot courses this school year. There will be up to 180 places available on these courses. The application process for these courses has not yet commenced though the colleges have received inquiries from individual special needs assistants.
