Vol. 571 No. 1
576 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if a resource teacher will be sanctioned for Cahir community college (details supplied) as requested by the principal in a letter to him and to which they have not yet received a reply. [20436/03]
My Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for pupils with special needs. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authorities. Each application is considered on the basis of the professionally assessed needs of the pupil(s) in question and the nature and level of the support provided is based on the advice of the national educational psychological service. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in question has received an allocation of 5.02 whole-time equivalent teacher posts and 3.80 special needs assistant posts to cater for the special needs of pupils attending the school in respect of whom applications for support have been processed. Further applications from the school are currently being reviewed by the national educational psychological service. As soon as a final report has been received, my Department will notify Tipperary South Riding VEC of the decision.
