1460 Mr. McEllistrim asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a special school (details supplied) in County Kerry has been discriminated against and not been funded for important subjects for autistic children. [1148/07]

1537 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason funding to facilitate part-time teachers at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry, was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1490/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1460 and 1537 together.

My Department allocates additional teaching hours to Vocational Educational Committees (VECs) to support the delivery of education programmes in a range of facilities, including special schools. Such allocations are made under the heading Co-Operation Hours with Other Institutions and are made in response to specific applications which are submitted by the VECs in advance of the commencement of the school year to which they relate.

My Department is currently undertaking a review of allocations to VECs under Co-Operation Hours with Other Institutions and the needs of the special school to which the Deputies refer will be considered in the context of this review.