As the Deputy is aware, the application for special educational teaching support for the pupil concerned was referred to the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, for determination. The SENO examined the application and expressed the opinion that the pupil's special educational needs appear to be within the high incidence disability category and therefore does not qualify for individual hours resource teaching support.
With regard to teaching supports for pupils within the high incidence categories, my Department has now completed its review of the general allocation, GA, system of resource teaching support. The new model replaces the one notified to schools in June 2004, which has been reviewed to take account of difficulties that it may have caused for smaller schools. Some 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September to facilitate the implementation of the new GA system. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts will be provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. It is a matter for the school to make arrangements to provide teaching support to those pupils who qualify for such support from its GA allocation.
My Department is now devising school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the GA system. These will be notified to schools shortly along with the details of each school's individual allocation. This communication will clarify the position regarding the resource and learning support allocation available to the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools, which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.
My Department has been advised by the SENO that the pupil has been granted the services of a full time special needs assistant, SNA. The school authorities were notified accordingly on 21 April 2005.