Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the criteria for the appointment of special needs assistants in primary schools; if he will extend the criteria to include the education needs of children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8124/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there are now over 19,000 staff in our schools working solely with children with special needs. This includes over 10,000 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) — compared with just 300 in 1997. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for SNA support may be considered by the National Council for Special Education where a pupil has a significant medical need for such assistance and where there are identified care needs arising from a diagnosed disability. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

SNAs and teachers have separate yet complementary roles. SNAs provide care support to pupils with special educational needs who have been assessed as having such needs while teachers deliver education to the pupils. I have no plans, at present, to extend the SNA role to that of a para-educator. The Deputy is also aware that a Value for Money and Policy Review of the Special Needs Assistant scheme is currently being undertaken by my Department. The Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is part of a framework introduced to secure improved value for money from public expenditure. The objectives of the review are to analyse Exchequer spending in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed policy decisions can be made. It is one of a range of modernisation initiatives aimed at moving public sector management away from the traditional focus on inputs to concentrate on the achievement of outcomes. To support the overall process, the review will include engagement with parent representatives, schools, education partners and other representative groups. It is expected that the review will be completed by the end of 2009.