Written answers

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

8:00 pm

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 924: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will intervene directly in connection with a request from a school to provide a person (details supplied) with one to one educational resources in view of the situation that exists within this school, and the best educational requirements for this child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1217/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Council for special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The SENO is also a focal point of contact for parents and schools and their role includes identifying appropriate school placements. My officials have been in contact with the NCSE and have been advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is currently enrolled in a mainstream schooland is in receipt of 5 individual hours resource teaching per week as well as full time special needs assistant support.

I am informed that the parents have applied to enrol their child in a special school and are awaiting a decision on the application from the Board of Management of the school. I also understand that the local SENO is actively involved in the case. I wish to advise the Deputy that the matter of the enrolment of a pupil in a school including a special school is a matter for the Board of Management of the school and my Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment by schools. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.

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