Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I did not see the "Prime Time" programme to which the Deputy refers, but I realise this situation always causes genuine concern and anxiety for the parents of children who are challenged in their schooling. Since 2001 the number of SNAs has tripled to 10,575. There are also 9,950 resource teachers for special education services, 350 more than last year. The programme, as far as I have heard, did have a point in that there is clearly a need to consider the extent of observation time in classes by professionals. Professionally qualified people assess children on the basis of their needs and it is as a result of these assessments that SNAs are appointed in the first instance. As the Deputy is aware, the special educational needs organiser then discusses the use of these SNAs with the principal, the staff and the children involved.

I assure the Deputy and everybody else that this is a sensitive matter which is importance to the Government. We do not have a hands-off approach, as though it were happening somewhere else and the matter did not need to be considered by the Minister for Education and Skills who has a genuine interest in it. It will not be the case that all SNAs will be removed from a school. A child who needs care and attention will have access to an SNA. I have made that commitment before and stand by it. I do not determine the professional assessment in each individual case, as the Deputy is well aware, but where a professionally qualified person says a child needs particular attention, it will be provided.

As I have said to the House before, the Minister for Education and Skills has retained 475 SNA posts that have yet to be allocated. These are withheld for a very good reason: to cater for cases in which a newly assessed child comes into a class, an accident occurs or some other issue arises. Far from viewing this issue as being of no interest to the Government or not being a hands-on matter, the Minister for Education and Skills is considering and is right to consider the extent of observation periods in class in order that a fully comprehensive assessment of each child's needs can be obtained. Following this, decisions about the allocation of SNAs to particular schools or classes can be made and discussions on the use of SNAs in the interests of children take place among the SENO, the principal and the staff.

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