Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level and type of additional resources and supports that are available when a child is identified with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4731/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides a wide range of supports and additional resources to support children who have been assessed as having special educational needs. These services are determined by the type of special educational need but include additional teaching support where a child is fully integrated into a mainstream school, reduced pupil-teacher-ratios where the child is in a special class attached to a mainstream school or a special school; special needs assistant support for a child who has care needs; assistive technology where this is recommended; specialist equipment such as modified desks and chairs as required; and specially adapted school buildings where necessary. In addition enhanced levels of capitation are available to special schools and mainstream schools with special classes.

The precise allocation of resources for children with special educational needs is based on 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 from primary and post primary schools for special needs supports such as resource teaching hours and special needs assistant (SNA) support on the basis of applications in respect of individual pupils. 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 additional teaching and SNA supports for individual pupils, the SENOs examine the teaching and other resources available within the individual schools. The SENO also operates within the parameters of my Department's criteria for the allocation of such resources.

Primary schools are also supported by means of a general allocation which provides additional teaching support to enable schools to cater for pupils with high incidence special educational needs, such as dyslexia, and those with low attainments. Second level schools continue to be supported by the allocation of additional teaching hours, where appropriate, for each pupil enrolled who is assessed as having a special educational need. SNA support is allocated, as appropriate, to all schools where there are confirmed assessed care needs in respect of students.