Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2011
42 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that the special needs assistant at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny is retained; if he will expedite a decision in the case. [6318/11]
View answerThe 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 educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of SNA support to eligible schools. 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.
