Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 921: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for special needs assistants submitted to her Department from primary schools in County Wexford in 2004; the number of special assistants employed by schools in County Wexford during 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10639/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. I will make arrangements to have the available information supplied directly to the Deputy.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 922: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for special needs assistants submitted to her Department from secondary schools in County Wexford in 2004; the number of learning support teachers employed by schools in County Wexford in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10640/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that my Department has allocated 17.5 learning support teaching posts to post-primary schools in County Wexford. The number of applications for special needs assistants is being compiled by my Department and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Every effort is made to ensure that children with special educational needs receive an education appropriate to their needs. Decisions regarding the most appropriate model of response in each particular case are based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual child.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 923: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the functions carried out by the special needs organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10653/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, was established in December 2003, as an independent statutory body with responsibilities as set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003. There are 71 special education needs organisers, SENOs, employed by the council since September 2004, who have been deployed on a nationwide basis, with at least one SENO being deployed in each county. Each SENO is responsible for the primary and second level schools in their 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 has taken 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 for children with special educational needs, SEN, and result in a timely response to schools which 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-guardians and schools and will, I am confident, result in a much improved service for all.