Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of unconcluded court actions before the courts in which her Department is participating regarding the provision of educational and support services to children with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12556/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The number of unconcluded court actions before the courts in which my Department is a defendant-respondent is 80. As the Deputy is aware, however, there has been enormous progress made over the past number of years on increasing the number of teachers and other supports in our schools which are specifically dedicated to providing education for children with special educational needs. At primary level approximately 5,000 teachers in our schools work directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs. At second level approximately 1,600 whole-time equivalent resource teachers are in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to the approximately 200 teachers that were in place in the 1997-1998 school year for such pupils. There are approximately 6,300 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants, SNAs, in our primary and second-level schools supporting children with special needs.

In addition to the issue of resources at school level, the National Council for Special Education has also been established. This council has approximately 100 staff, the great majority of whom are special educational needs organisers, SENOs, who are locally based throughout the country. The role of the SENOs is to ensure that all special educational needs in their areas are addressed in an effective manner. In particular, the SENOs are a focal point of contact for parents or guardians and schools, and process applications for resources for children with special educational needs. I am satisfied that the establishment of the council and the work of the SENOs is transforming the delivery of special educational services in this country. I am confident that as a State we have faced up to the issue of providing appropriate educational provision for all children with special needs and that much work has been done to ensure that the necessary resources and structures are in place. I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education, ensure that all children with special needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.