Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 January 2011
177 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a special needs assistant will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48570/10]
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 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.
In considering applications for teaching and SNA support for individual pupils, the SENOs take account of the needs identified in the professional reports and decide whether the circumstances come within the Department's criteria. They then consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality is needed or whether the school might reasonably be expected to meet the needs of the pupil from its current level of resources. 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.
