Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1378: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans in place to provide a person (details supplied) in County Waterford with a special needs assistant as soon as possible; the reason for the delay in allocating this student a SNA even though the National Educational Psychological Service psychologist recommended that they be allocated one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47907/08]

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

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. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Each SENO works in an assigned local area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs. All schools have contact details of their local SENO. It is also open to parents to contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs.