Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
242 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the guarantee he can give to identified special needs pupils that they will receive support from suitably qualified teachers in special needs areas in second level schools, in view of the fact that so many contracts are not being renewed in September, including, Ennis community college. [17334/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates resource posts and special needs assistant posts to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for special needs pupils enrolled therein. Applications are made to my Department by the relevant school authority. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupil involved and the nature and level of the support provided is determined on the advice of the psychological service.
Ennis community college was allocated 4.35 wholetime teacher equivalents and three wholetime special needs assistants for the 2004-2005 school year to help cater for students with special needs, including traveller and non-national students, attending the school.
A further application for additional resources for students with special needs attending Ennis community college has been received by my Department from County Clare VEC and the application is now being considered. My Department will notify the VEC of the decision as soon as possible.
With regard to the matter of suitably qualified teachers being appointed in the special needs area, the position is that such appointments are made by the vocational education committee concerned. Permanent wholetime teaching, temporary wholetime teaching or regular part-time teaching posts are filled by vocational education committees following a public advertisement and selection process. Teachers who meet the prescribed minimum qualification for the advertised post are eligible to be considered for appointment.
