Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to have qualitative research carried out into the prevalence of ADHD and related conditions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9333/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In recent international research studies, the projected rates of prevalence of ADHD in school-going children vary from 3% to 5%. Research also indicates that approximately one third of such children go on to develop anti-social behaviour problems. Many of the children identified as having ADHD have associated difficulties in learning. Additional resources are provided to schools in respect of children with special educational needs arising from ADHD.

The National Council for Special Education, or NCSE, has been established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003. The NCSE, through local special educational needs organisers, or SENOs, has been, from 1 January 2005, responsible for processing resource applications for children with special educational needs.

There are no plans at the moment in my Department to have research carried out into the prevalence of ADHD and related matters. However, one of the functions of the NCSE is to conduct and commission research on matters relevant to its functions and, as it considers appropriate, to publish in such form and manner as it thinks fit the findings arising out of such research.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 620: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the role of the special educational needs organisers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9343/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council for Special Education, or NCSE, was established in December 2003 as an independent statutory body with responsibilities set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment ) Order 2003. The council currently has 12 members, all with a special interest in or knowledge of the area of education of children with disabilities.

There are 71 special educational needs organisers, or SENOs, employed by the council since September 2004, who have been deployed nationwide, with at least one SENO being deployed in each county. Each SENO is responsible for the primary and second level schools in his or her area, and they have made contact with each of their schools and informed them of their role. A recruitment process for a further nine SENOs has been commenced by the council to bring their total up to 80 persons nationwide.

With effect from 1 January 2005, the NCSE took over responsibility for processing resource applications for children with disabilities who have special educational needs. Under the new arrangements, the council, through the local SENO, will process the relevant application for resources and inform the school of the outcome.

The establishment of the NCSE will greatly enhance the provision of services to children with special educational needs, or SEN, and result in a timely response to schools who have made application for SEN supports. The local service delivery aspect of the council's operation through the SENOs will provide a focal point of contact for parents or guardians and schools and will, I am confident, result in a much improved service for all.