176 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that a person (details supplied) in her Department received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in October 1996; if this person in her Department received correspondence of 3 March 1997 from Deputy Bree; if it is the intention of her Department to acknowledge or respond to the correspondence in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12465/97]

The officer of my Department mentioned by the Deputy did not receive any correspondence in October 1996 or at any other time from the person mentioned by the Deputy. However, the officer did receive the Deputy's letter dated 3 March 1997 and did not acknowledge that letter or deal with the matter which the Deputy raised. This is deeply regretted by the officer concerned and by my Department.

It is understood from the Deputy's letter that the letter from Ms. Stuart referred to remedial and special provision in St. John's national school, Temple Street, Sligo, but the Department does not know the precise issue being raised. However, a range of special educational services is provided in the school in question including remedial support and a special class for children with specific learning difficulties. Also, the question of the establishment of another special class for children with special needs is under consideration in the Department in consultation with the Board of Management of the school. There is no proposal at present to discontinue any of the existing special education services in the school.