School Staffing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 April 2010

Tuesday, 20 April 2010

Ceisteanna (854)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

899 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the anxiety being felt at a school (details supplied) regarding the evaluation of the future of the one special needs assistant position at the school; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that both parents and teachers alike are adamant that this post should be retained at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14817/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

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 (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.