Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 198: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if correspondence has been brought to her attention (details supplied); the steps she will take to rectify the matter and provide the necessary staff outlined in the correspondence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15733/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The correspondence referred to by the Deputy relates to special needs assistant support for a specific pupil. My Department has recently sanctioned a special needs assistant post to the school, which the pupil is attending. This decision was conveyed to the school in April 2005.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 199: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a special needs assistant will be sanctioned for a primary school (details supplied) in County Clare. [15751/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy may be aware that the recently established National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. Some 71 special educational needs organisers, SENOs, have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents.

My Department's officials have been informed by the NCSE that a number of applications have been received for special needs assistant supports from the school concerned including the pupil referred to by the Deputy. The matter has been referred to the local SENO who will be in direct contact with the school authorities shortly.

Liam Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 200: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date on the review for resource teaching and special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [15760/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, the application for special educational teaching support for the pupil concerned was referred to the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, for determination. The SENO examined the application and expressed the opinion that the pupil's special educational needs appear to be within the high incidence disability category and therefore does not qualify for individual hours resource teaching support.

With regard to teaching supports for pupils within the high incidence categories, my Department has now completed its review of the general allocation, GA, system of resource teaching support. The new model replaces the one notified to schools in June 2004, which has been reviewed to take account of difficulties that it may have caused for smaller schools. Some 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September to facilitate the implementation of the new GA system. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts will be provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. It is a matter for the school to make arrangements to provide teaching support to those pupils who qualify for such support from its GA allocation.

My Department is now devising school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the GA system. These will be notified to schools shortly along with the details of each school's individual allocation. This communication will clarify the position regarding the resource and learning support allocation available to the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools, which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.

My Department has been advised by the SENO that the pupil has been granted the services of a full time special needs assistant, SNA. The school authorities were notified accordingly on 21 April 2005.