Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the application for funding for the provision of a laptop for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19179/09]

Batt 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 (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

My officials have been in contact with the NCSE regarding the matter referred to by the Deputy and I understand that the pupil in question does not meet my Department's criteria for the allocation of a laptop. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact the SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. It is open to the school and/or parents to contact the SENO in the context of supports that may be available to support the pupil in question.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if in view of his comments during last week's Private Members' motion on special needs classes, he will confirm that the special class associated with a school (details supplied) will continue unchanged for the academic year starting 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19197/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for co-ordinating special needs education provision at local and national level and arranging for the delivery of special education services.

I understand that the school referred to by the Deputy has been in contact with my Department in relation to this matter. I am aware that all of the children enrolled in the class do not have a mild general learning disability and my officials have advised the school to make contact with the SENO in the context of the designation of the class.