John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide the appropriate support for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17822/05]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if appropriate educational supports will be put in place for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18120/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 443 together.

The most recent professional report indicates that the pupil's special educational needs, SEN, fall within the high incidence disability category. These SEN will therefore be catered for from within the general allocation system of resource teaching support recently communicated to all primary schools.

The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system. It is a matter for schools to make arrangements to provide teaching support to those pupils who qualify for such support from its general allocation.

My Department has now issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their general allocation and their clustering arrangements, if appropriate. The allocation for the school referred to by the Deputy is 0.4 of a post. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.