Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004
531 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the application for a full-time resource teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if sanction can be given as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2050/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received an application from the school concerned for resource teaching support during the period 15 February 2003 to 31 August 2003. SER applications received between 15 February and 31 August 2003, including the one made by this school, are being considered at present. In all, more than 5,000 such applications were received. Priority was given to cases involving children starting school last September and all these cases were responded to at or before the commencement of the current school year.
The balance of more than 4,000 applications has been reviewed by a dedicated team comprising members of my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. These applications are being further considered in the context of the outcome of surveys of SER provision conducted over the past year or so. Account is also being taken of the data submitted by schools as part of the recent nation-wide census of SER provision.
The processing of the applications is a complex and time consuming operation. However, my Department is endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible and my officials will then respond to all applicant schools. Pending a response, schools are advised to refer to Circular 24/03, which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources already allocated for special educational needs within the school.
