Skip to main content
Normal View

Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004

Wednesday, 1 December 2004

Questions (197)

Michael Ring

Question:

226 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if the general review of special needs assistants support levels and deployment in mainstream national schools has been completed; if not, when this review will be complete; and when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive an increase in special needs assistant support from ten hours per week to full time as requested by their school. [31703/04]

View answer

Written answers

A review of special needs assistant, SNA, provision which commenced recently will apply to approximately 2,000 primary schools with existing SNA support. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of SNA posts in mainstream classes. The intention is to ensure that the level of approved SNA support in schools, and the manner in which that support is being allocated, are such as to ensure that the special care needs of pupils are being appropriately met. As part of the exercise, outstanding applications for SNA support for pupils who are attending mainstream classes will be processed.

The team conducting the review is comprised of retired members of my Department's inspectorate. It was supplemented recently by a number of special education needs organisers, SENOs, who are employed by the National Council for Special Education. As the Deputy may be aware, the council has been established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities as set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003. The SENOs will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents and will process applications for resources for pupils with special educational needs, SEN. In this context, the SENOs are currently undergoing extensive training. It is anticipated that the council and the SENOs will become operational shortly. In this regard, my Department is liaising with the council regarding future arrangements for the processing of applications for SEN supports.

I understand that the pupil concerned is currently receiving ten hours SNA support per week and the school has requested that the level of provision should be increased to full time. The school's request will be considered in the context of support available in the school. The school will receive a visit from the review team and a decision on the application will issue to the school following the review. It is my intention that the review will be completed as quickly as possible. My officials will make contact with the school shortly concerning the pupil in question.

Top
Share