Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position on a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [37393/05]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position on a special needs assistant and resource hours for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [37394/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

The National Council for Special Education, established recently and operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs supports. Over 70 special educational needs organisers have been recruited and are a focal point of contact for schools and parents.

My officials have been advised by the National Council for Special Education that applications have been received for special educational needs supports for the pupils in question. The local special educational needs organiser has sanctioned five hours individual resource teaching hours to each pupil. In addition, the special educational needs organiser has sanctioned the services of a full-time special needs assistant to be shared between the two pupils in question. The school authorities have been notified accordingly.