Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the policy for the educational support of children with Down's syndrome; if he will provide a guaranteed minimum of educational support services for children with Down's syndrome; if he will state what these service are; and if he will ensure that educational support services for disabled children are ring-fenced in the school system. [19460/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is aware that my Department has put in place a range of teaching and care supports for pupils with special educational needs, including those with Down Syndrome. Pupils with Down Syndrome are entitled to additional teaching support in school, either under the terms of the general allocation system for children with high incidence special needs or through an allocation of additional resources where a pupil has been assessed as being within the low incidence category of special need. One of the benefits of the general allocation system is that it has put support teaching resources in place in schools on a more systematic basis. This facilitates flexible and early intervention and gives schools more certainty about their resource levels.

In circumstances where a pupil with Down Syndrome has other associated needs and would fall into the low incidence disability categories, schools can apply to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for an additional resource teaching allocation. The number of additional teaching hours allocated would range from three to five hours per week depending on the pupil's special educational needs. Special needs assistant posts are allocated to schools to support students with care needs. Funding has been made available to enable schools support students with special educational needs with specialist furniture and/or assistive technology if necessary and special school transport arrangements may also be put in place. Applications for such support are made through the local Special Educational Needs Organiser. These supports are targeted at the special educational needs of the pupils concerned.