Vol. 571 No. 3
46 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science the facilities which are currently available throughout the country for the education of specific speech and language impaired, aphasic, children; the training available to teachers of such children; if he has satisfied himself with the level of educational provision for such children; if it is proposed to expand such provision in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18343/03]
Special classes for children with specific speech and language disorders are established where a need has been identified and supported by up-to-date psychological and speech therapy reports in respect of the children in question. Each class caters for a maximum of seven children and each class requires the services of a speech therapist. The speech therapy service is provided by the relevant health authority. At present, a total of 56 such classes are in place in the primary system. Children who meet the criteria for admission to specific speech and language disorder classes generally spend two years in such classes.
Children with specific speech and language disorder not attending a special class may also be entitled to support from the resource teacher and special needs assistant services. The nature and level of support provided is based on the professionally-assessed needs of the individual child. All schools have been advised of the procedures to be followed where resource teacher or special needs assistant support is being sought in respect of a child with special needs.
It is the policy of my Department that teachers working with children with specific speech and language disorders have appropriate training. As such, this area is covered in the postgraduate training programme in special educational needs for teachers working in special classes, special schools or as resource teachers in mainstream primary and post primary schools. In addition, my Department supports initiatives, at local level, provided in collaboration with speech and language therapists and the teacher training colleges.
Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 33
