Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 762 of 17 June 2008, if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27979/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. Applications for SNAs may be considered by the NCSE where a pupil has a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or to other pupils. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

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 and I understand that a direct reply will issue regarding this matter in the coming weeks.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a full and comprehensive reply has not issued to date to a parliamentary question (details supplied). [27993/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. Applications for SNAs may be considered by the NCSE where a pupil has a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or to other pupils. A pupil's level of care may diminish over time as the child matures. Pupils may move to a different school or on to post-primary school. In such situations, the NCSE will review and adjust the SNA support required in the school. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

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 and I understand that the pupils in question did not meet my Department's criteria for allocating SNA support. The NCSE has advised that the SENO clarifed the position to the principal and class teachers. The NCSE has also advised that a direct response will issue from the NCSE shortly.