Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2010
526 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the final outcome of the National Council for Special Education review of special needs assistant positions in primary and secondary schools; if she will provide an update of figures released by the NCSE on 31 March 2010 relating to the withdrawal of SNA positions in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20175/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published its report on the Review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Allocation to Schools April 2009 — March 2010 on its website www.ncse.ie. A small number of schools remain to be reviewed and the NCSE has indicated that these will be reviewed by the end of the current academic year. A final breakdown of the outcome of the review will be made available when all schools have been reviewed.
I wish to confirm for the Deputy that my Department is very supportive of the SNA scheme. It has been a key factor in both ensuring the successful integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream education and providing support to pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes. The SNA scheme will continue to be supported and the NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and resources will continue to be allocated to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.
527 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals received by the National Council for Special Education to date regarding the withdrawal of special needs assistant positions from schools; the number of appeals processed to date; if any appeals have been upheld; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20176/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
The Deputy will also be aware that the NCSE has introduced an appeals process whereby schools and parents, where appropriate, may seek to appeal the decision of a SENO in relation to the allocation of resources. Information regarding the appeals process is available on the NCSE's website at www.ncse.ie. The NCSE administers this appeals process without recourse to my Department. The information requested by the Deputy is therefore not available within my Department. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
