Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to outline to the House the Department of Education and Science's position on this matter. The Minister for Education and Science is most anxious that all children receive an education appropriate to their needs.

The pupil in question is due to start in Culleens national school, Killala Road, Ballina, County Mayo, in September 2003. An application for resource teaching and special needs assistant support for the pupil was submitted by the school and received in the Department on 3 June 2003. The Department is currently processing applications for special education supports made by schools after 14 February, 2003. The process involves an examination of each application and supporting professional documentation by the National Educational Psychological Service or NEPS and schools will be informed of the outcome at the earliest possible date.

The application, together with professional reports, in respect of the person referred to by the Senator will be considered in this context. When the NEPS has submitted its recommendation, officials from the Department of Education and Science will convey a decision to the school authorities. I hope this clarifies the position for the Senator and I thank him once again for giving me the opportunity to respond to the matter of special needs support for the child in question. I will raise the matter personally with the Minister.

The Seanad adjourned at 7.25 p.m. until 10.30a.m. on Wednesday, 2 July 2003.