Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
237. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the present situation whereby a student in a public private school is entitled to a special needs assistant and a student in a private primary school is not so entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50961/12]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides resources to State-recognised schools to ensure that children with special educational needs have access to an appropriate education with additional supports as necessary. The NCSE is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support.
The State recognises the rights of parents and guardians as primary educators and respects their right to send their child to a school of their choice. Should parents choose not to avail of State-recognised schooling and to select a private school, this is entirely a matter of their choosing. My Department's policy is not, however, to provide special educational needs supports, including SNA support, to private primary schools in circumstances where State primary school placements are available.
