Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

To pick up on the last point, the best people to ascertain whether a pupil needs an SNA are those who carry out the assessment. In carrying out that assessment, they indicate what resources and help a student may need. At present, SNAs are being allocated to schools and unfortunately, the number of SNAs that some schools have does not match the needs of their students and thereafter, a great onus is being left on school management to try to distribute those SNAs as best as possible. Does the Minister of State agree that if a SENO's assessment states that a child is in need of a particular resource such as, for example, an SNA or so many hours per week, this student should get that support and this should not be constrained by budgetary measures?

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