John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise on the Adjournment the loss of six special needs assistant, SNA, posts at St. Senan's primary school, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, which will cause severe problems for the running of the autism centre there. The school has an autism unit with an open enrolment policy. The principal, Mr. Henry Goff, and his staff allow all children suffering with autism - mild, moderate or severe - to attend the school. The open enrolment policy has served the school well over many years.

When the autism unit was set up, St. Senan's was approved staff on a one-to-one basis. However, for some reason the Department has moved the goalposts, seeking to divide the educational and care needs of the children. Perhaps the Minister of State will explain what criteria was used in making the decision to reduce the SNAs by six. I, and many other Members, are aware of the excellent service provided by St. Senan's primary school, the purpose of which is to allow the children eventually attend mainstream education. Children with severe care needs will not be able to attend mainstream classes without the support of SNAs.

The school has been notified in recent days of the loss of six SNA posts. The Taoiseach stated in the House today that there would be a cut of 200 SNA posts throughout the country by Christmas. If one divides 41 constituencies by 200, that equates to five SNAs per constituency. For some reason, however, St. Senan's primary school in Enniscorthy is to lose six SNA posts. Parents of children suffering from autism and other disabilities have protested strongly about this cut during the past six months. While an appeals system was promised, the school was told when it appealed that no such system was in place. Perhaps the Minister of State might clarify the position in that regard. I was told by previous Ministers and officials in the Department of Education and Skills that an appeals system was in place and that the school would be allowed to submit an appeal, which it did. It has since been informed that no appeal hearing would be allowed, which appears strange to me.

The parents have medical reports from Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, psychologists and general practitioners outlining the seriousness of some of the children's problems, but these were completely ignored by the special educational needs organisers, SENOs. I ask that the Minister of State visit the school, unannounced if he so wishes, to see first hand the importance of the autism centre at St. Senan's school and, more important, the need to have SNAs in the school on a one-to-one basis.

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