John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 452: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if it is correct for a SENO to apply the provisions of circular SP/ED 09/04 to refuse an application for resource hours for a Down's syndrome person; if her officials will proceed with the provisions already in place for resource hours under the terms of circular SP/ED 08/02; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12023/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It would appear from a number of enquiries that a significant percentage of children with Down's syndrome have been assessed as having a mild general learning disability which comes under the high incidence disability category. Under the transfer of functions protocols, the National Council for Special Education is processing applications for resource teaching support from primary schools in respect of children with low incidence disabilities.

In the absence of details related to the application referred to by the Deputy, it appears to relate to a child within the high incidence disability range. The Deputy may be aware of the proposed new system for resource teacher allocation which involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with the higher incidence special educational needs of borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability. This system also applies to those with learning support needs functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and-or mathematics. My Department is reviewing the proposal to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs. The review involves consultation with educational interests, including the National Council for Special Education. The revised procedure for providing a general allocation of resource hours to schools will be announced in the coming weeks in time to be implemented for the next school year.