Paul Connaughton
Ceist:345 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department is unable or unwilling to provide a full-time assistant to St. Bridget's vocational school, Loughrea, County Galway, where a person (details supplied) in County Galway needs the services of a full-time special needs assistant; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person is only entitled to one hour per day resource teaching and two hours per day special needs; if his attention has further been drawn to the risks that have to be taken in the circumstances in the interests of health and safety in the school; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that other schools in the region have the services of a special needs assistant for similar duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15496/03]