Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 748: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the requirements in respect of remedial, resource or other special needs teachers at the primary and secondary schools in east Galway; her proposals to approve the necessary staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29280/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available. However, I advise the Deputy that at primary level there are now approximately 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.

At second level, there are approximately 1,600 whole-time equivalent resource teachers in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to a figure of approximately 200 teachers who were in place in the 1997-98 school year for such pupils. In addition, there are approximately 336 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants, SNAs, in our primary and second level schools in County Galway supporting children with special needs. The National Council for Special Education, through its network of locally based special education needs organisers, is responsible for processing any applications for additional special educational needs, SEN, resources. I am confident that the advent of the NCSE will prove of major benefit in ensuring all children with special educational needs, including in east Galway, receive the support they require, when and where they require it.

I also confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the NCSE, ensure that all children with special educational needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.

Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 749: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which speech and language requirements have been assessed or determined in respect of each national school in east Galway; the extent to which such requirements are being met; her plans to meet such requirements in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29281/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of therapies, including speech and language therapy, is a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.