Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009
587 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason three special needs assistants were removed from a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will review the matter again to ensure that the requirements of the special needs children at the school are fully met. [4308/09]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. Applications for SNAs may be considered by the NCSE where a pupil has a significant medical need for such assistance and where there are identified care needs arising from a diagnosed disability. A pupil's level of care may diminish over time as the child matures. Pupils may move to a different school or on to post-primary school. In such situations, the NCSE will review and adjust the SNA support required in the school. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
The NCSE has confirmed that the level of SNA support allocated to the school in question is sufficient to meet the care needs of the children with special educational needs. The NCSE has advised my Department that the local SENO has met with the parents concerned and has clarified the position regarding their child's special educational needs. It is open to the parents to contact the SENO directly to discuss any matter relating to their child's special educational needs.
