Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí as ucht an ábhar tábhachtach seo a chur os comhair na Dála. Tá mé ag freagairt thar ceann an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta. I wish to make very clear that the education of children with special educational needs has been and remains a key priority for the Government. It has put vast resources into schools to enable them to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. In excess of €1 billion was spent within the education system for this purpose last year. Students with disabilities will continue to receive support as they have for the past ten years.

I emphasise what is really important. Schools which have enrolled children who qualify for support for a special needs assistant, SNA, will continue to be allocated SNA support. This scheme is under way at present. The National Council for Special Education continues to process applications from schools for SNA support. The SNA scheme has been a major 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. The terms and criteria for the SNA scheme have not changed. Where the criteria are met, SNA posts are being allocated.

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