Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2009

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Ceisteanna (262)

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

281 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science further to comments by him at the time of the closure of 128 special classes that local arrangements could be made, if he will now facilitate a local arrangement between two schools (details supplied) in County Offaly which are within a short distance of each other and who are anxious to retain this educational services for the 13 children affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26655/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has considered the correspondence submitted by the schools in question appealing the decision to suppress a class for pupils with a Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD) in each school. My Department recently advised both schools that the decision to suppress the classes remains.

The material submitted by the schools did not include any proposal for a local arrangement. The schools concerned are single sex schools and therefore there would not appear to be a basis for facilitating a local arrangement between the two schools.