Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether his response to schools who have appealed his decision to abolish more than 100 special needs classes has been adequate in view of the effects it will have on a large number of vulnerable children. [26725/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will be holding any further appeals on his decision to abolish more than 100 special classes for children with special educational needs. [26724/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has considered correspondence submitted by a number of schools appealing the decision to suppress classes for pupils with a Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD). Responses issued to these schools on 11 June last. A small number of schools have corresponded further with my Department and a reply will issue to these schools as quickly as possible.

The responses included advice to schools as to how they can support children who are in the classes being suppressed through the school's General Allocation Model of resource teaching support. There may be instances where children who are enrolled in a MGLD class fall within the low incidence disability category. These children may qualify for individual resource teaching support through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and schools were advised that it is open to them to liaise with the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) in this regard. I am satisfied with the information provided to the schools on foot of their appeals.

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.