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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Special Educational Needs.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

112 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will investigate an appli cation for resource teaching support on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23733/03]

The level of support made available to schools is determined having regard to the professionally-assessed needs of the individual pupil. In this case, an application for 2.5 hours resource teaching support per week for the pupil in question was forwarded to the Department's national educational psychological service NEPS for consideration. NEPS subsequently confirmed that the application did not meet the criteria as outlined in my Department's circular. The applicant school was informed of this outcome on 14 July 2003.

113.

Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Sligo does not have access to a resource teacher in view of the fact that it was approved in June 2003; if it will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23749/03]

My Department received an application for resource teaching support for the child in question on 23 September 2003. Applications for special educational supports received between 14 February 2003 and 31 August 2003 are being examined at present on the basis of the supporting professional report(s) and in the context of resources already available at the school. The process involves an examination of each application and supporting documentation by a dedicated team of inspectors and psychologists. The schools concerned will be informed of the outcome as early as possible in the current school year.

When this process is complete, applications received after 1 September 2003 will be considered.

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