Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 1444: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 263 of 9 November 2006, if she will approve the appointment of a special needs assistant for a pupil who has been recommended for a full time SNA by the Health Service Executive child guidance service, in an occupational therapy report and a psychological assessment; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the child has been diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and goldenhar syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1051/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs support.

The NCSE has advised that on 27th July, 2005, the special educational needs organiser (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 of all three pupils, as required.

My officials have been advised by the NCSE that a further application for SNA support was submitted to the SENO on 16th January, 2007. The SENO will consider the application and inform the school authorities of the outcome as soon as the application has been processed.