Written answers

Thursday, 15 March 2012

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs

1:00 pm

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide examination support for children who developed narcolepsy after receiving the swine flu vaccine; if he has spoken with the Department of Health regarding their needs during their examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14765/12]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department, along with officials from the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE), recently met with representatives of parents of children with narcolepsy to consider the educational supports which may be provided for such children and the criteria for accessing such supports, based on the assessed individual needs of children.

The range of supports which may be provided for children who are suffering from serious medical conditions such as Narcolepsy, based on assessment, include:

- Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, for children who have a medical condition such that they require access to care support in order to be able to attend school;

- Home Tuition support which can provide a compensatory educational service to children who have had major disruption to their attendance at school due their medical condition;

- Additional Learning Support/Resource Teaching assistance in school;

- Assistive Technology support if required;

- Special arrangements for State Examinations.

HSE assessments are currently being arranged for the identified children, with assessments being prioritised for children who are due to take state examinations this year. This process is currently underway. The educational supports that may be required can then be considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the children. Officials from my Department are also due to meet with officials from the Department of Health regarding this matter in the near future.

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