Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (332)

Pat Breen

Question:

505 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if in the interest of special needs assistant he will set a criteria for job security for special needs assistants; will special needs assistant positions be rotated in the system when a child that they are assigned to leaves; with regard to job loss the notice of redundancies that special needs assistants are entitled to; will special needs assistants get paid for supervision work; will a set criteria be put in place for special needs assistants countrywide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22171/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (N. Dempsey)

My Department will shortly undertake a fundamental review of the special needs assistant service with a view to restructuring and rationalising the service. This review will involve discussions with the relevant trade union representing the special needs assistant grade and will address all of the issues raised by the Deputy. A claim for payment for supervision duties by special needs assistants was lodged by the IMPACT trade union and was referred to the Labour Court in January 2004. The court recommended that there was no merit in the claim on the basis that a duty to assist teachers in the supervision of pupils forms part of the basic duties of special needs assistants. In the circumstances, no additional payments will be made.