Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am addressing this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills. I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline the Tánaiste's position on the special needs assistant, SNA, scheme generally and, in particular, the allocation of SNA support for the pupil in question.

The House is aware that the education of children with special educational needs has been and remains a key priority for the Government. The Department of Education and Skills continues to invest considerable resources in schools to enable them to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. This year alone over €1 billion of the Department's budget is being spent to provide supports to enable learners with special educational needs to access education appropriate to their needs. The SNA scheme, in particular, has been a major factor in both ensuring the successful integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream education and the provision of support for pupils enrolled in special schools and classes.

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is processing applications from schools for SNA support and sanctioning SNA posts to schools. Schools which have enrolled children who qualify for support from a special needs assistant continue to be allocated SNA support. The terms and criteria for the SNA scheme have not changed. The Senator will be aware that the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers, is responsible for allocating resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with special educational needs. It operates within the DES criteria in allocating such support. It is independent in the making and issuing of its decisions on the allocation of such supports.

It is important to understand, in regard to the SNA allocation process, that the allocation for a school and adjustments to that allocation depend on a number of factors such as the number of pupils with care or medical needs leaving, the number of new pupils and the changing care needs of existing pupils in the school. SNA allocations are, therefore, not permanent. They are increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs might have diminished over time. The NCSE has confirmed that the pupil in question has access to an appropriate level of SNA support to meet her care needs. I understand the level of SNA support required by the pupil has diminished over time.

The Senator may be aware that one of the reasons for the allocation of SNAs is to assist children to develop greater levels of independent living skills. It is not generally in the interests of a child for the NCSE to leave an SNA in place where a child has achieved a greater level of independence. Doing so has the potential to impact on a child's personal development in a negative way. I am sure the Senator will agree that many children with disabilities do develop independent living skills as they grow and mature. Where a child develops to such an extent that he or she no longer needs the support of a SNA, that is to be celebrated. It is easy in the current climate for a decision to be portrayed as a cutback. However, as a community, we need to have ambition that looks beyond a disability and acknowledges ability that can lead to independence from SNA support for children with special educational needs.

The Senator is fully aware that the Department has prioritised the provision of special education supports for schools. This remains a key Government policy. However, this does not mean that resources, allocated in response to various historical factors, are retained in schools ad infinitum. At a time of constrained resources, it is essential that we ensure public resources are deployed as effectively as possible. Leaving resources in an area that are not in accordance with criteria means public resources are not available for another deserving area.

I have listened to what the Senator has said and will convey his comments to the NCSE for further consideration.