Arthur Morgan
Ceist:693 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in schools in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5358/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 February 2010
Ceisteanna (608)
Freagraí scríofa
There were 403 Special Needs Assistants (whole time equivalents) employed in schools in County Donegal on 29 January 2010 and paid on my Department's payroll. Three hundred and fifty (whole time equivalents) were serving in Primary schools and 53 in Secondary and Community/Comprehensive schools. The Deputy should contact Co Donegal Vocational Education Committee in relation to the number of Special Needs Assistants employed by them.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO's) for allocating Special Needs Assistants to Primary and Post Primary schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.