Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

481 Questions— 22 February 2005. Written Answers 482Minister for Education and Science (MsHanafin): With effect from 1 January 2005, theNational Council for Special Education throughlocal special educational needs organisers willprocess resource applications for children withspecial educational needs. The National Councilfor Special Education has been established as anindependent statutory body with responsibilitiesas set out in the National Council for SpecialEducation (Establishment) Order 2003. Where apupil with special educational needs enrols in apost-primary school, it is open to the school toapply to the local SENO for additional teachingsupport and-or special needs assistant support forthe pupil.My Department has recently issued circular letterPPT 01/05 advising the authorities of post-primaryschools of the arrangements put in place asa result of the transfer of these functions to theNCSE. I am confident that the establishment ofthe National Council for Special Education willprove of major benefit in ensuring that all childrenwith special educational needs receive thesupport they require when and where theyrequire it.331. Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Educationand Science if, in view of the fact thatEnnis is one of the largest centres of populationin County Clare with no provision for educationfor children and teenagers suffering from autism,she will provide facilities at one of the schools inEnnis as a matter of extreme urgency; and if shewill make a statement on the matter. [5766/05]Minister for Education and Science (MsHanafin): I am most anxious that all children,including children with autistic spectrum disorders,receive education appropriate to theirneeds.There are three special classes catering forpupils with autism in mainstream primary schoolsin County Clare as well as three special classes inspecial schools in the county. My Department hasreceived an application to establish an additionalspecial class for autism from a primary school inCounty Clare. My officials are liaising with theNational Educational Psychological Serviceregarding the application and a decision will beconveyed to the school as soon as this process hasbeen completed.Schools Refurbishment.332. Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Educationand Science if a mechanical lift will be providedat a school (details supplied) in CountyCork; and if she will make a statement on thematter. [5773/05]Minister for Education and Science (MsHanafin): The application from the schoolreferred to by the Deputy for the provision offunding for a mechanical lift under the 2005 summerworks scheme is under consideration. Detailsof schools with projects approved under the SWS2005 will be outlined in the near future.Third Level Fees.333. Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister forEducation and Science if financial assistance isavailable for a person (details supplied) inCounty Donegal; and if she will make a statementon the matter. [5833/05]Minister for Education and Science (MsHanafin): In 1996-97, my Department’s studentsupport schemes were extended to provide maintenancegrants to eligible students pursuingapproved full-time undergraduate courses of atleast two years’ duration in other EU memberstates, including the UK. The courses must be followedin a university or third level institution,which is maintained or assisted by recurrentgrants from public funds. The extension of theschemes at that time did not extend to courses atpostgraduate level. Students attending approvedcourses in other EU member states are subject tothe same conditions of funding as studentsattending approved courses in the State. Themain conditions of funding relate to age, residence,means, nationality and previous academicattainment.Tax relief on tuition fees is available in respectof approved courses at undergraduate and postgraduatelevel in other EU member states. Inrecent years, the UK authorities introduced anumber of changes in the financial supportarrangements for students pursuing courses atfurther and higher education institutions. Theseincluded the introduction of an annual tuition feefor students entering further and higher educationinstitutions for the first time from the 1998-99 academic year and the replacement of maintenancegrants by student loans to be phased infrom that year also. All EU students, includingIrish students, are eligible for consideration forgrant assistance towards the tuition fee subject tothe same conditions as apply to UK students.School Class Sizes.334. Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Ministerfor Education and Science the averagenumber of pupils in primary school classes; and ifshe will make a statement on the matter.[5834/05]Minister for Education and Science (MsHanafin): The system for allocating teachers toprimary schools is based on ensuring an overallmaximum class of 29 in each school. Where someclasses in a school have class sizes of greater than29, it is generally because a decision has beentaken at local level to use their teaching resourcesto have smaller numbers in other classes.The Deputy should note that significantimprovements have been made in this area inrecent years. The average class size at primarylevel is now 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. Thepupil teacher ratio, which includes all the teachers