Vol. 577 No. 3
309 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on an appeal lodged by persons (details supplied) in County Cork regarding their child who was refused special education needs. [31217/03]
My Department considered an application for resource teaching support for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. On 14 July 2003, the applicant school was advised that no resources could be approved as the application did not meet the eligibility set out in the relevant Department circular. My Department is prepared to review such decisions on the basis of an appeal submitted by the school authorities. In this case, there is no record of an appeal having been received from the school. In the event of such an appeal being received, my Department will re-examine the matter.
310 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make an early decision concerning an application on behalf of St. Dominic's national school in Tallaght for a special needs assistant to be appointed to help this school address the needs of some children in particular; if this school has applied on at least four occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31218/03]
I can confirm that my Department has received an application for special needs assistant support for the school referred to by the Deputy. The application is being examined on the basis of the supporting professional documentation and in the context of resources already available at the school. The examination of such applications is being carried out by a dedicated team including inspectors and psychologists and responses will issue to all schools, including St. Dominic's, in the near future. I understand that, arising from previous applications, this school has the services of four full-time and one part-time special needs assistants.
Question No. 311 answered with Question No. 307.
