John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 702: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs teachers and assistants that have been recruited nationally since 1998; the number that have been placed in positions in the City and County of Waterford since 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27865/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The specific information requested by the Deputy relating to the level of special needs teachers at primary level in the City and County of Waterford is not readily available in my Department. I can confirm however that there are currently 189.89 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants (SNAs) employed in schools in Waterford and a total of 7,241.02 whole-time equivalent SNAs employed nationwide, up from 300 in 1998.

I can confirm also that at primary level there are now approximately 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special educational needs.

At second level approximately 1,654 whole time equivalent additional teachers are currently in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to approximately 200 teachers that were in place in 1998 for such pupils. Of these 1,654 teachers, 35.87 whole time equivalents are based in second level schools in Waterford. In addition, there are 532 whole time equivalent learning support teachers in our second level schools nationwide.

Applications for special educational needs supports for the 2006/2007 school year are now being processed by the special educational needs organisers (SENOs). 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 the relevant staff rests with the individual school authorities and will be determined by the level of need.