Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure equality of access to education, including physical accessibility of schools, for all pupils with disabilities as shown by the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [12720/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education and Science sanctions special educational needs supports for pupils with disabilities in primary schools on an assessed needs basis to facilitate access to special schools, special classes and mainstream schools on an integrated basis. Such supports take the form of special class teachers, resource teachers and special needs assistants and are processed on receipt of an application from the relevant school authorities. My Department sanctioned a full-time special needs assistant in August 2000 and five resource teaching hours in January 2001 to cater for the needs of the pupil in the school. With regard to the accessibility of accommodation in the school, the school authority should ensure that the class is appropriately situated to enable the pupil to participate fully in school activities. It is open to the school authority to use the devolved grant which is paid annually by my Department to deal with any works required to facilitate access.