Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The allocation to children has not changed. It is being honoured throughout. There was a cut of 15% per child some time back, but the allocation has been provided throughout the period. My information is that there are still 18 SNAs in the school to which the Deputy referred and that there has been no cut to eight, but I will investigate the matter. The mother and child concerned are entitled to appeal to the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which allocates on this basis and is charged with ensuring the child is properly catered for within the allocation. I will check and revert to the Deputy on the question of SNA allocations in the school. I am assured that although there has been one loss, it was due to natural turnaround in that the group of children being cared for can change from year to year. The allocation depends on the group's needs.

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