Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
102 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science when a special needs assistant will be provided at a school in Tuam, County Galway for the benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Galway as per application submitted to his Department in December 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10976/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates resource teaching support and special needs assistants support to second level schools and vocational educational committees to cater for students with special educational needs. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authority or VEC. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupil/pupils involved and the nature and level of support provided is determined on the advice of the psychological service.
My Department has allocated 1.75 whole time equivalent resource posts plus 1.47 special needs assistant posts to address the needs of students attending this school including the pupil the Deputy is referring to. It is a matter for the school to deploy this allocation and also review this deployment in line with the evolving needs of the students.
