Written answers

Tuesday, 7 October 2008

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

9:00 pm

Photo of John DeasyJohn Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that children diagnosed with autism and other learning difficulties have accessibility to information on where to seek help; if, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, he will ensure that information is readily available; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that parents are having difficulty knowing where to get help. [33403/08]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt 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 allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs.

SENOs are assigned responsibility for schools in a particular geographical area. The local SENO is a specific point of reference for parents who have children with special educational needs. They provide information and assist parents on issues in relation to the child's education. The NCSE's website — www.ncse.ie — provides further information about the work of the Council as well as the contact details for each SENO.

The recently established Office of the Minister for Disability and Mental Health has, as a key role, responsibility for the facilitation of the delivery of integrated health and education support services for children with special needs. Officials of this Office, along with my own Department, the Health Service Executive and the NCSE comprise a cross-sectoral group which meets regularly in relation to this issue.

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