Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2004
61 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will immediately revoke the decision to withdraw two special needs assistant posts from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19868/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe two special needs assistants, SNAs, to whom the Deputy refers were sanctioned on a temporary basis on 1 August 2003 to cater for the needs of a number of pupils at the school. The professional recommendation at the time was that, in the interests of the development of the personal independence skills of the pupils concerned, the posts should be withdrawn in June 2004. In this regard, the school authorities were informed that the posts would cease at this time.
Applications for SNA support are considered in terms of the criteria set out in my Department's circular 07/02, which may be accessed on my Department's website, www.education.ie, under “Children with Special Needs”. Any applications for such support received from the school in question will be fully considered in this context.
