Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 457: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when adequate resource hours and a special needs assistant will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36527/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which was established recently and which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. Over 70 special educational needs organisers, SENOs, have been recruited throughout the country and are a focal point of contact for schools and parents.

My officials have been advised by the NCSE that an application has been received for SEN supports for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. The local SENO has sanctioned five hours resource teaching support and access to a special needs assistant in the school. The school authorities were notified accordingly on 24 October 2005.