Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2009

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Ceisteanna (1118, 1119)

David Stanton

Ceist:

1219 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 17 September 2009, the areas of expertise in which third level primary degrees of all 84 special educational needs organisers are held; if it is a requirement that Special Educational Needs Organisers hold a professional qualification in psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy education or a related expertise, if this is not the field of their primary degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33691/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Educational Needs Organisers are employed by the National Council for Special Education which prescribes the following qualifications and experience required for appointment to these positions: a third level qualification, preferably at degree level, or a professional qualification relevant to the provision of services to children with disabilities; and at least two years' experience in the education of children or the delivery of other services to children with disabilities.

My Department does not hold information on the qualifications of individual SENOs.

David Stanton

Ceist:

1220 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 17 September 2009, the kind of additional information required to be provided by parents, guardians or the school to secure a review by the National Council of Special Education of a decision by a special educational needs organiser; the other avenues available to parents who are unhappy with a SENO decision but do not have additional information to provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33692/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

While the NCSE recognises that the outcome of such applications may not always be to the satisfaction of the applicant, SENOs are available to discuss the basis for their decisions with schools, parents/guardians. The NCSE will undertake to review a decision taken by a SENO on foot of a request from a school or parents/guardians, when accompanied by relevant additional information such as professional reports which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. This process is outlined in the NCSE's Circular 01/05.