Vol. 572 No. 1
141 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the terms of reference of the proposed audit of the allocation of special needs assistants; the criteria for appointment currently in place; and the reason there is need for an audit of appointments which in most cases are of quite recent origin. [22570/03]
The position is that a general audit of resource allocations to national schools in sup port of pupils with special educational needs is to be undertaken by my Department. The terms of reference for the process have not yet been decided. The purpose of the audit is to ensure that those resource allocations continue to be targeted to best effect.
In the case of special needs assistants, the audit will focus on the overall level of support required in each school, having regard to the evolving care needs of the pupils for whom the supports were put in place.
