Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
451 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if and when a special needs place can be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who wishes to continue his education in St. Raphael’s for a further year. [12127/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy is 18 years of age since December 2003 and is currently enrolled in St. Raphael's special school, Celbridge, County Kildare. Special schools and special classes funded by the Department of Education and Science are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from four years of age until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.
The local health board has direct responsibility for provision for young adults over 18 years of age with special needs. The Department of Education and Science is willing to consider the provision of funding towards an education component of such provision in a health board setting. Any application received from the health board will be considered.
452 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is any provision or circumstance whereby a person who is dyslexic can be exempted from studying Irish at second level; the extra assistance that can be made available for such persons in the event that exemption is not possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12144/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has issued guidelines to schools on exemption from the study of Irish at post-primary level. These are outlined in circular M10/94 published by my Department.
Provision exists in this circular for pupils who have a specific learning disability of such a degree of severity that they fail to achieve expected levels of attainment in basic language skills in the mother tongue. The evidence of such a disability should be furnished by a qualified psychologist to enable the evaluation on the necessity to exempt the particular pupil from the study of Irish. Delegated authority within the defined limits of the circular has been given to schools to permit a pupil to be granted an exemption from Irish.
In addition, my Department allocates resources 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(s) involved and the nature and level of support provided is determined on the advice of the psychological service.
