John Ellis
Question:416 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Science if a special needs assistant will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim for the full school day. [32529/04]
View answerTuesday, 7 December 2004
Questions (389, 390)
Written answers
My Department is in receipt of an application for an increase in the level of special needs assistant support for the pupil in question. The application will be considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school at the earliest possible date.
John Ellis
Question:417 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Science if a special needs assistant will be provided to persons (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and the reason for the delay in providing same. [32530/04]
View answerThe care needs of the first pupil referred to by the Deputy can be met from within existing special needs assistant, SNA, supports at the school. The school authorities were notified accordingly. An application for SNA support is still outstanding for the second pupil referred to by the Deputy.
It has been my intention for some time to carry out a general review of SNA support levels and deployment in mainstream national schools. Bearing in mind the view expressed by schools that any such review should have regard to circumstances on the ground, I have decided that the process should involve a visit to each school, which has SNA support. The review has commenced and will involve approximately 2,000 primary schools with existing SNA supports. Decisions regarding the appropriate level of SNA support in the school concerned will be based on the outcome of this review. Arrangements are being made to review SNA allocation at the school concerned as a matter of priority.