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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2012

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Ceisteanna (49)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

45 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the decision to cut two special needs assistants posts from a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary which, if implemented, will result in the loss of four of the school’s six SNAs from 2010 leaving two remaining SNA posts to meet the needs of 240 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25777/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. All schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy were advised to apply to the NCSE for resource teaching and SNA support for the 2012/13 school year by 16th March, 2012. In considering applications for SNA support for the new school year, the NCSE will take into account the individual care needs of all qualifying children, supports freed up due to any school leavers, and the identified care needs of newly enrolled children with special educational needs. The number of SNAs allocated to a school is based on the care needs of individual pupils with special educational needs, not the overall pupil enrolment of a school. Schools will be advised by the NCSE of their SNA allocation for the 2012/13 school year by June of this year.

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