Special Educational Needs.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Questions (497)

Arthur Morgan

Question:

589 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will restore full-time provision of a special needs assistant to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; his views on the fact that they must contend with a substantial disability, thus making a full-time special needs assistant essential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3135/10]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

As 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 to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.