Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004
194 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will comment on special needs assistants at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15, in particular the threat by his Department to revoke two special needs posts from 31 August 2004; and if he is aware that the school, for the past decade, focused on the provision of special needs for children in the Huntstown, Clonee and Dublin 15 area. [19182/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial 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. The criteria used for the assessment of the need for special needs assistant support is outlined in my Department's circular 7/02. The circular may be accessed on my Department's website under the heading children with special needs. My Department continues to review existing arrangements for the allocation of special educational supports to primary schools. The basic purpose of the review is to ensure that each school has the level of resources required to cater for its pupils with special educational needs.
Since 1998 the number of special needs assistants in primary schools has grown from about 300 to in excess of 5,500 full-time and part-time posts. Special needs assistants posts will be retained in schools where there is a continuing care need in accordance with circular 7/02. I intend that all applications for special education resources received by 30 June will be responded to before the commencement of the 2004-05 school year. Account is being taken of existing levels of special needs assistant support allocation in schools. In cases where a reduction in the level of special needs assistant support is proposed, there will be provision for schools to appeal, having regard to the care needs of the pupils concerned. Details of the appeals mechanism will be set out in a communication to schools.
