Vol. 577 No. 4
162 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for a resource teacher and resource teaching facilities; if a decision has been made on the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31423/03]
I am aware of an application for resource teaching support for the child in question. This application was received during the period between the 14 February 2003 and 31 August 2003 and is currently being considered by a dedicated team of inspectors and psychologists. The school concerned will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
163 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when resource hours will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare enrolled at Scoil Mhicil Naofa, Athy, County Kildare, in view of the need for such assistance due to the person's medical background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31427/03]
164 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when special needs assistance will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare enrolled at Scoil Mhicil Naofa, Athy, County Kildare, in view of the need for such assistance due to the person's medical background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31428/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.
All applications for resource teacher and special needs assistant resources received after 14 February 2003 and by close of business on 31 August 2003 are being examined on the basis of the supporting professional report(s) and in the context of the resources already available to the school. The process involves an examination of each application and supporting documentation by a dedicated team of inspectors and psychologists and schools will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible. An application in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers is being dealt with in this context.
165 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can overcome problems in relation to children in need of special needs assistance in cases in which his Department has not sanctioned such assistance. [31429/03]
166 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason no resource hours have been made available to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, despite applications by its principal. [31430/03]
167 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in County Kildare has not been granted a transfer of special needs assistants and/or resource hours for children who have transferred from another school, in relation to resource hours and special needs attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31432/03]
168 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the problems being created in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in which children in need of resource teachers have now been placed into the existing caseload of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31433/03]
170 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when the general resource audit will be carried out in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the serious concerns of parents of children in need of resource teaching and special needs assistance in relation to such an audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31435/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 168, inclusive, and Question No. 170 together.
As previously indicated, my Department's inspectorate conducted a sample survey of 25 primary schools which had been allocated resource teacher and special needs assistant support. The school to which the Deputy refers was one of the schools included in the survey.
More recently, a dedicated team of inspectors and psychologists was established to consider applications for special needs resources made between 15 February and 31 August last. The needs of the school in question will be reviewed by this team in the course of its deliberations. This review will be completed by the earliest possible date and contact will be made with the school authorities as soon as possible.
169 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when the new circular in relation to the whole area of resource supports will be made available to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the serious concerns that parents of pupils in need of such supports are experiencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31434/03]
I wish to inform the Deputy that circular 24/03 to which he refers was issued to all school authorities on 18 September 2003. It is also available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 165.
