Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding resource hours; and if this person will be granted a proper service. [13197/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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First, I would like to clarify that the correspondence referred to by the Deputy relates to special needs assistant, SNA, support in respect of a pupil with special educational needs and not to resource hours. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. I can confirm that the school has been allocated five hours individual resource teaching support per week and the services of a full time SNA to cater for the pupil in question.

The issue referred to in the correspondence relates to the retention of a particular SNA in a school. I wish to clarify that the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within a school is a matter for the individual principal or board of management. The board is the SNA's employer and the terms of employment are subject to the conditions of the contract of employment.

I assure the Deputy that the pupil in question will continue to receive the SEN supports appropriate to his needs.