Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
66 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the recently announced special needs assistants are to be allocated in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30511/04]
View answerSpecial needs assistants, SNA, may be approved to support pupils who have a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or other pupils. The criteria used for the assessment of the need for such support are outlined in my Department's Circular 07/02.
The additional 295 SNA posts recently announced have been allocated on foot of applications from schools for such support that have been considered and verified by the National Educational Psychological Service. I am confident that this additional support will improve the capacity of pupils with significant care needs to participate in and derive benefit from the education process.
