Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 738: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 434 of 8 May 2008, the progress to date regarding the future of the special class in a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23442/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for the establishment of special classes and for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE will continue to establish special classes where the need arises in both special schools and mainstream schools. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

My officials have been in contact with the NCSE regarding the special class referred to by the Deputy. The NCSE has confirmed that all of the existing pupils are leaving the class at the end of the current school year and transferring to a special school to complete their education as they are of secondary school age. Following discussions with the HSE, no pupils have been identified as requiring placement in this class for September 2008 or for the foreseeable future. I understand that the local SENO notified the school on 16th June 2008 that there will be no staffing allocated to this class for September 2008.