Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011
165 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the special needs assistant posts he held in reserve are now being filled; and if SNAs who have been made redundant are eligible to apply for these posts. [24660/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving considered all of the applications for SNA support which have been received from mainstream primary and post primary schools, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has now advised all mainstream schools of their SNA allocations for the 2011/12 school year, taking into account the number of valid applications for SNA support and the assessed care needs of the children concerned.
In relation to special schools, the existing levels of SNA support in special schools has been maintained in the first instance, in order to assist and protect the most vulnerable children, with a review to take place in the first term of the school year. SNA provision in special schools is currently being reviewed.
As not all applications for SNA support can be made in advance of the school year, in order to prudently manage this valuable but limited resource, the NCSE and my Department decided that 475 of the 10,575 posts should be retained in order to allocate them over the coming school year in cases such as emergency, appeals, acquired injuries or new school entrants with special needs care.
The NCSE will now begin the process of allocating these 475 posts in the coming period in a measured and prioritised manner taking account of the existing levels of SNA support already available in the schools. Accordingly, it is expected that schools, before requesting any review of their SNA provision, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect
