Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve the appointment of a special needs assistant for a pupil (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37237/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Special need assistant (SNA) support is provided specifically to address the care needs of pupils with special educational needs. The nature and level of support provided is based on the assessed needs of the individual child having regard to the criteria set out in my Department's circulars.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs (SEN) supports from primary and post primary schools. The teaching and SNA support allocated are intended to enable schools to meet the needs of pupils as outlined in psychological and other professional reports. In allocating SEN supports for individual pupils, the SENOs examine the teaching and other resources available within the individual schools.

The NCSE has advised that on 27th July, 2005, the SENO allocated access to SNA support as required to the pupil in question. This support was to be provided by an SNA already in the school who was caring primarily for another pupil. A further application for SNA support was received by the SENO for another child enrolling in junior infants in the school in September, 2006. The SENO determined that the SNA allocated to the school can cater for the needs all three pupils, as required. The SENO has not received any further correspondence from the school concerning the pupil in question and SNA support has not been withdrawn.