Terence Flanagan
Question:504. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding special education needs organisers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9233/15]
View answerTuesday, 3 March 2015
Questions (504)
Written answers
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. There are currently 80 SENO positions within NCSE including 70 SENOs who are managed over 9 regions by 9 Senior SENOs and 1 Senior SENO Manager. The overall number of 80 SENO positions has remained constant since 2013. There are no plans to reduce the number of SENO positions.
SENO responsibility includes planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs. Each SENO works in an assigned regional area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that region for children with special educational needs. In dealing with parents of children with special educational needs, SENOs are responsible for keeping parents informed of what resourcing decisions are being made on their child's behalf. In recognition that parents/guardians are the key stakeholders with regard to the child, SENOs are committed to forging good relationships with parents and parent groups. The SENO is available to parents to discuss any issues they have and to offer support and expertise. SENOs are also available to give presentations to groups of parents, advocacy groups and other interested parties.