Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 671: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants in primary schools in County Clare and nationwide; the number to be allocated in September 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25762/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 217.16 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants (SNAs) employed in primary schools in County Clare and a total of 6587.41 whole-time equivalent SNAs employed nationwide. Applications from schools for SNA support for the 2006/2007 school year are now being processed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The SENOs will convey their decisions on the applications directly to the schools as soon as this process has been completed. Responsibility for the recruitment and employment of SNAs rests with the relevant school authorities. The number of SNAs sanctioned in 2006 will be determined by the level of need.