Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 592: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the role of special educational needs organisers, SENOs, in the assessment of children's needs for school supports including special needs assistants, SNAs, and resource teachers; if SENOs carry out individual assessments of children; the basis by which this is done and with what training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34330/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Special educational needs organisers, SENOs, do not carry out individual assessments of children. The assessment of children is normally a matter for the National Educational Psychological Service or the professionals operating as part of a multidisciplinary team in the health sector. In addition, some parents may wish to have recourse to private assessments for their children.

SENOs are responsible for co-ordinating and facilitating delivery of educational services to children with disabilities at local level. The SENO decides on the allocation of resource teaching and SNA support to both primary and post-primary schools to cater for the needs of pupils with special needs. These decisions are based on the professional assessments carried out by the range of professionals referred to above and in accordance with the criteria for allocation of resources laid out in various departmental circulars. The SENO's role therefore is not one of assessing disability, but of ensuring that appropriate educational services are put in place to meet the needs of individual children. Extensive training has been provided by the National Council for Special Education to all SENOs in this regard.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 593: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the speech and language or occupational therapy services that are available on-site in mainstream schools in Laois and Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34331/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has established two special classes for speech and language in County Offaly and one such class in County Laois. However, the provision of therapy services for people with disabilities, including speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, is a matter for the Health Service Executive, HSE, to which funding is provided for such purposes.