Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14824/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.

At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years. My Department, at that stage, may allocate resources towards an education component of such provision.

However, my Department will consider requests from schools who wish to retain students who are over 18 years of age, for one extra school year, in circumstances where they are following courses leading to accreditation at level FETAC 3 or above. My Department will be writing to all Special Schools shortly to advise them that applications received from schools in respect of individual pupils will be considered in the context of my Departments policy in this regard, as set out above.

Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a matter in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [14832/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.

At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years. My Department, at that stage, may allocate resources towards an education component of such provision.

However, my Department will consider requests from schools who wish to retain students who are over 18 years of age, for one extra school year, in circumstances where they are following courses leading to accreditation at level FETAC 3 or above.

My Department will be writing to all Special Schools shortly to advise them that applications received from schools in respect of individual pupils will be considered in the context of my Departments policy in this regard, as set out above.