Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 587: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the special needs of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; if she has taken into consideration the case's circumstances in enabling this person access to the special language classes; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this person has been diagnosed with a language disorder; the guidelines around criteria for children with specific speech and language disorders that have been applied to this case; if she is satisfied with the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 839 of 20 March 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12566/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. This includes applications for the establishment of special classes. Responsibility for enrolment to these classes rests with the individual school authority. The qualifying criteria for enrolment in speech and language classes is outlined in my Department circular SP ED 02/05, Appendix 1, which may be accessed on my Department's website, www.education.ie.

The NCSE has confirmed that the local SENO will liaise directly with the school regarding the special educational needs of the pupil in question.