Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 642: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the educational services which will be provided for a child (details supplied) in County Kildare; if funding will be made to the school to provide a place for the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27254/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is now operational. A specific function of the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is to identify appropriate educational placements for all children with special educational needs. The SENO is a focal point of contact for parents and schools.

My officials have liaised with the NCSE in relation to the child referred to by the Deputy. The NCSE has advised that is has not received any application for assistance with the enrolment in question. It is open to the parent(s) or school to contact the relevant SENO. Contact details for the SENO may be sourced from the NCSE at (046) 9486400. Alternatively, these details may be accessed on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.

The school referred to in the correspondence currently has significant resources. The staffing level consists of a principal, 8 teachers and 20 special needs assistants supporting 42 pupils. The provision of therapy support for pupils in the school is a matter for the Health Service Executive.