Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2016
102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allocate additional SNA hours to a person (details supplied) who suffers from a number of learning difficulties and is currently in receipt of 0.5 hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29273/16]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including SNA support.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at: www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.
Responsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual pupils rests with the NCSE.
The NCSE has confirmed that the child in question currently has access to SNA support.
The local SENO is available to discuss any concerns that parents have about the present or future educational needs of their child. All schools have the contact details of their local SENO. Contact details are also available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
As the question to which the Deputy refers relates to an individual child, the matter has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
