Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a review is being carried out into the resource hours allocation to a person (details supplies); the further reason the review is being carried out by an SENO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8845/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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All special educational needs resources sanctioned by my Department are made subject to review. The pupil in question is in receipt of ten hours per week resource teaching support. This is a significant allocation in the context of my Department's circulars in which five hours is generally the maximum allocation. Sanction was given in August 2002, on an interim basis, to facilitate the pupil's initial reintegration into mainstream primary school. It was reviewed in February 2003 and has continued since.

My Department has decided to review this allocation in the context of the pupil's progress in the interim and in this regard, arrangements are being made for the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, to carry out the review. Further contact will be made with the school in this regard.

The Deputy will be aware that with effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has taken over responsibility for processing resource applications for children with disabilities who have special educational needs and, in this context, it is the responsibility of the relevant SENO to undertake the review.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 16 February 2005, if a decision has been made regarding a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [8854/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. I am pleased to advise him that permission has been granted to place the pupil in question in the special class for autism in the school referred to. A letter confirming this position issued to the school authorities on 9 March 2005.