Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will be supported. [24453/09]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will be supported. [24454/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 477 and 478 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has considered the correspondence submitted by the schools in question appealing the decision to suppress a class for pupils with a Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD) in each school. My Department recently advised both schools that the decision to suppress the classes remains.

All children with MGLD who are in the classes being suppressed will be able to receive teaching support through the teaching resources allocated to primary schools under the General Allocation Model. Schools decide themselves how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils and how to adjust their support in line with the changing needs of pupils as they mature. My Department provided a circular SP ED 02/05 to schools to assist them in deploying the General Allocation Model resources.

There may be instances where children who are enrolled in a MGLD classes fall within the low incidence disability category. These children may qualify for resource teaching support through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and it is open to the schools to liaise with the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) in this regard.

My Department promotes a continuum of assessment and intervention. These interventions range from support from the classroom teacher and support from the resource / learning support teacher. Where a school considers that these interventions are not meeting the child's needs they should seek the advice of their National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist. Schools without an assigned NEPS psychologist can avail of the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments. Advice may also be sought from the local Special Educational Needs Organiser.