Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will define the differences between a classroom assistant and a special needs assistant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43552/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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 supports from primary and post primary schools. 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 post of Special Need Assistant is often referred to as a classroom assistant post. However, I should clarify that the posts which are funded on my Department's payroll to provide support for children with special needs are SNA posts and are defined as such both in terms of the payscale which applies and the governing circulars.

My Department does not provide funding to schools in respect of a separate category of classroom assistant posts.