Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 835 of 20 March 2007, the reason SENOs are not allowed to assist in applications for resource teaching hours, applications for special needs assistants, applications for school transport for children with disabilities with special educational needs and applications for assistive technology, in the school in question; if she will review this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12149/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As I previously advised the Deputy a pilot scheme funded directly through my Department has facilitated the establishment of a number of stand-alone autism units using the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) methodology. The unit referred to by the Deputy is participating in this scheme. Resource and staffing issues associated with the scheme are sanctioned directly by my Department.

The Deputy will be that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a key role in the delivery of services and operates through a network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) who act as a focal point of contact for schools and parents. SENOs provide a service to parents of children attending units participating in the pilot scheme to which the Deputy refers by providing information on a range of issues including appropriate educational placements available on completion of a period in the ABA units.