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Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004

Tuesday, 9 March 2004

Ceisteanna (181, 182)

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

268 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if a full-time care assistant will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7796/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has no record of having received an application for special needs assistant support for the person referred to by the Deputy. I understand that this person is due to commence school in September, 2004.

My officials have been in contact with the school relevant authorities who have confirmed that they are in the process of making an application for special educational resources (SER) for this person. Special needs assistants may be approved to support a pupil who has a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or other pupils.

Any application received will be considered in the context of the criteria set out in the relevant Department circulars and the existing level of SER provision in the school.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

269 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a classroom assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7828/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The school referred to by the Deputy currently has the services of two learning support teacher and two resource teaching posts. I can confirm, also, that my Department has received applications for additional special educational resources (SER) from the school, including an application for the pupil in question.

SER applications received between 15 February and 31 August, 2003 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. 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 nationwide 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.

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