Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of learning resource teachers in County Kildare in the years 2002 to 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37078/05]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in County Kildare schools in each of the years 2002 to 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37079/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.

The information regarding the number of special education teachers for County Kildare in the years 2002 to 2005 is not readily available within my Department. I can confirm, however, that at primary level there are now approximately 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.

To date, at second level there are 1,614 whole time equivalent additional teachers in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to approximately 200 teachers that were in place in 1998 for such pupils. In addition, there are 532 whole time equivalent learning support teachers in our second level schools.

I can also confirm to the Deputy that there are currently approximately 309 whole time special needs assistants, SNAs, in our primary and second level schools in County Kildare supporting children with special needs. My Department is not in a position to provide details of SNAs employed since 2002. However, since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to nearly 6,000 nationally.