Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an audit of the special needs service has been completed; the recommendations that have been made as a result of the audit; if changes are envisaged in this service; and the way he will consult with parents and staff regarding the recommended changes. [21331/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has arranged for its Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) to review Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts are properly met.

I wish to clarify that there has been no change in these criteria and the current review will be carried out by reference to those criteria. The review is currently underway and it is intended that it will be completed by the end of this school year. It is too early at this point to anticipate the findings that will emerge from the review.

My Department is separately carrying out a Value for Money and Policy Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme. It is expected that this review will be completed by the end of 2009. The review will examine the SNA support allocated to children with care needs in schools. My officials have met with the Education Partners to advise them of the review and to outline the process involved and have formally invited the partners to furnish their views on the scheme. Engagement has also taken place through focus group meetings with interested parties such as parent representatives, schools, education partners and other representative groups.