John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 14 June 2012, if will he provide clarification on the provision of a special needs assistant for this child. [30167/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I have advised the Deputy previously that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports including Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, to support children with special educational needs. SENOs are currently notifying schools of their SNA allocation for 2012/13, based on the number of valid applications received and, in the case of SNA support, the extent of the care needs of qualifying children.

SNAs should be deployed by schools in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised. The parents/guardians of the pupil in question should be advised to liaise with the school in this regard. In addition, it is open to parents to contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.