Vol. 570 No. 2
321 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reconsider and reverse a decision by his Department to refuse a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person's family is considering legal action in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18758/03]
I wish to clarify that special needs assistant support has not been refused for the person in question. The position generally is that funding is targeted at children with special educational needs in recognised national schools. In the event that the necessary resources are not available in a recognised school locally, consideration will be given to the allocation of appropriate resources in other settings. All applications for special needs assistant support are considered in the context of the child's assessed needs and the criteria prescribed in Department circulars. My officials will be communicating with the family in question shortly.
322 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has sanctioned the full cost of ?36,000 for the provision of the necessary equipment to enable a person (details supplied) to commence at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in September 2003; if he has confirmed this to the school in writing to enable the work to start immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18807/03]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has sanctioned a grant for the provision of this equipment.
