Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 607: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has reviewed the appeal made by a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow with regard to the abolition of the school's special needs class. [17698/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The correspondence submitted by the school in support of its appeal is currently being considered by my Department. This process is well advanced and it is expected that a decision will be conveyed to the school shortly.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 608: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a child (details supplied) in Dublin 10 will be provided with a laptop computer to enable the child to benefit fully from the education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17702/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. My Department has no record of receiving a recommendation for a laptop for the child in question.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.