Vol. 556 No. 4
166 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason special needs assistants in primary schools are not paid the full time rate in view of the fact that they work the entire infant class day even though his Department has sanctioned a full time post to this type of assistant. [20859/02]
167 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason special needs assistants who work in infant classes are not paid the full time rate in view of the fact that they work 22.5 hours per week. [20860/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.
Full-time special needs assistant posts are allocated to schools where the professionally assessed needs of the child or children involved is such as to require the delivery of such support throughout the standard school day. As children in infant classes attend school for a reduced daily period, the level of special needs assistant support they require is correspondingly reduced and is met through the allocation of part-time hours support.
