Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the situation facing persons wishing to become a special needs assistant, who do not possess an educational qualification in Irish at junior certificate level, that some of these people may have received their primary level education outside the State and have not had the option of studying Irish and have since completed post-leaving certificate courses in order to qualify as a special needs assistant but remain ineligible; if an exemption will be granted to these people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35155/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The criteria for appointment of Special Needs Assistants specifies that the minimum requirement necessary for appointment is an award of Grade D (or pass) in Irish, English and Mathematics in the Intermediate Certificate/Junior Certificate or Day Vocational Certificate Examination or in an examination of equivalent standard. Boards of Management of schools are the employers of all staff, including SNAs, employed in schools. State funding of any SNA position is granted on the basis of agreed recruitment policies and guidelines being adhered to by Boards of Management and these being applied in a fair and consistent manner in all cases. The minimum educational standard required for these positions is based on the needs of the SNA post generally across all schools and it is not open to schools to deviate from this standard in individual cases.

With regard to the means by which a person may attain the necessary educational requirements, local education service providers (e.g. VEC) may be able to assist with access to an appropriate course or courses which will, on successful completion, lead to an award of the required standard.