Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the retention of a special needs assistant at a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [7286/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The school concerned has the services of two full time special needs assistants, SNAs, including the SNA referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy will be aware that a review of SNA provision in primary schools is continuing. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of SNA posts in mainstream classes. The intention is to ensure that the level of approved SNA support in schools, and the manner in which that support is being allocated, are such as to ensure that the special care needs of pupils are being appropriately met. Decisions regarding the appropriate level of SNA support in respect of applications made to my Department will be based on the outcome of this review.

The school in question will be reviewed shortly. The position regarding the appropriate level of SNA support at the school will be determined following this review and the school will be advised accordingly.