Written answers

Thursday, 3 November 2005

Department of Education and Science

School Staffing

5:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason so few special needs assistants are in second level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32118/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware enormous progress has been made over the past number of years in increasing the numbers of staff in our schools who are specifically dedicated to supporting the education of children with special educational needs. To date, 1,023 whole time equivalent special needs assistants, SNAs, are in our second level schools. This compares to approximately 292 whole time equivalent SNAs that were in place in the 2001-02 school year. The substantial growth in special education services at second level in recent years reflects the reality that significant numbers of pupils, who had been in receipt of special support in the primary sector from 1999 onwards, are now transferring to the second level system.

SNAs have an important role in supporting pupils with special educational needs in mainstream schools. However, the allocation of SNA support at second level must be balanced against the individual student's need to develop independence and to access education alongside and in the same way as other students. Early intervention at primary level ensures that many children do not need additional SNA support at second level.

Since 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, through its network of locally based special education needs organisers, is responsible for processing any applications for additional special educational needs resources. I am confident that the advent of the NCSE will prove of major benefit in ensuring that all children with special educational needs receive the support they require, when and where they require it.

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