Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a person can be allocated special needs assistance of 12.5 hours; if the allocation is for the full term or can the hours be changed at any time during the period of the term; if there can be a re-assessment; if a person's parents are notified before such an assessment takes place; the mitigating circumstances that will cause such an assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32964/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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. Under the new arrangements, the council, through the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, will process the relevant application for special needs supports including access to special needs assistance, SNA, supports. The SENO will consider the application and where the care needs of the pupil have been clearly identified in a professional report and the criteria for the allocation of such support as outlined in circular 07/02 is met, the support will be granted and the school will be informed of the decision. The parents will also be notified by either the principal or the principal and the SENO. The support may be granted on an individual or shared basis depending on the care needs of the child. It is envisaged that each decision will be reviewed at least on a yearly basis but it may be reviewed in a shorter timeframe if necessary, for example if additional relevant information is made available.

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.