With effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education through local special educational needs organisers will process resource applications for children with special educational needs. The National Council for Special Education has been established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities as set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003. Where a pupil with special educational needs enrols in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply to the local SENO for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil.
My Department has recently issued circular letter PPT 01/05 advising the authorities of post-primary schools of the arrangements put in place as a result of the transfer of these functions to the NCSE. I am confident that the establishment of the National Council for Special Education will prove of major benefit in ensuring that all children with special educational needs receive the support they require when and where they require it.