School Staffing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004

Tuesday, 5 October 2004

Ceisteanna (195, 196)

John Cregan

Ceist:

311 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will examine the situation regarding special needs assistant hours for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; the reason a reduction was made in view of the fact that this person previously was approved for a full-time needs assistant when attending school in Dublin; if this is correct; the reason allocation varies depending on school location; if additional hours can be given as recommended by school authorities and the authority in Temple Street Hospital which this person attends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23326/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I can confirm that an application for special needs assistant, SNA, and resource teaching support was received for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. This case is being considered in light of the needs of the pupil and the current resource/learning support teaching allocation available to the school.

John Cregan

Ceist:

312 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will examine the case of a person and school (details supplied); the resource teacher resources which are allocated to this school and the number of hours which are allocated to this person; if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has spare resource teacher hours; if this person changes school can resource teacher hours move with them; the length of time this should take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23327/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Where a student with special educational needs enrols in a post primary school, it is open to the school to apply to my Department for additional teaching support for the student. I can assure the Deputy that should an application be received by my Department, it will receive full and immediate attention.

My Department allocates additional teaching support and special needs assistant support to second level schools to cater for pupils with special needs. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authority. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupils involved and the nature and level of support provided is determined on the advice of the psychological service.

My Department has allocated 41.66 additional teaching support hours to the school concerned for the 2003-04 school year to cater for the special educational needs of pupils enrolled, including the pupil to whom the Deputy refers.