Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I understand the frustration of parents who have children who are challenged and have particular difficulties. These situations can transform the entire lifestyle of a family. It is important to note that the Minister for Education and Skills has set out the situation. Schools are being advised of their special needs assistants for the coming school year this week.

The last Government decided in December 2010 to cap the number of SNAs at 10,575. There are currently 10,802 posts, which is 227 over the cap that has to be reached by the end of 2011. As the 10,575 cap must be met by the end of the year, that reduction will take place. I assure the House that the existing level of SNAs in special schools will be maintained.

I also assure the House that all schools which enrol children with special needs will have special needs assistant support. All such children will have access to the support and no school in the country will lose all its SNA support. Any school that has even one child like Luke will have SNA support. The perception that there are serious cutbacks is simply not true. The Minister for Education and Skills announced 90% of the allocation of SNAs. That means he held back 10%, a total of 475 posts. Those posts will be allocated specifically for children like Luke who need SNA support.

The report on the value for money and effectiveness of spend highlighted a situation - the Deputy will know this - where in some cases children were allocated SNAs not because of their particular challenge or disability but for a variety of other things, such as for therapeutic or pedagogical reasons. It became an understanding that schools could get SNAs for practically anything and that system could not continue.

I strongly support the SNA system. I know many of them who give great attention, commitment and diligence in helping children who need them. The Minister for Education and Skills will continue that system. The 475 posts that he has held back would address the particular priorities and cases where children need SNAs. There is a reduction of less than 2% in the overall number to maintain the cap by the end of 2011.

It is not true to say that schools will lose all their support and that any child who needs SNA support will not have it. They will have it and the support will continue because it is important for the education of children as they move through the system.

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