Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 643: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will audit a school (details supplied) in connection with an application of directives to be used to reduce special needs assistant cover at this school. [22302/09]

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 644: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to special needs assistants, audits of these roles are being used to reduce or remove positions from schools; if he is satisfied with directives in relation to the tasks of special needs assistants in classrooms when the non-teaching provisions may be interpreted as to preclude SNAs from assisting pupils by way of management or guidance to help with concentration and so on; and if he will examine the working of directives in this area. [22303/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 643 and 644 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education has been requested by my Department to arrange 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 during 2009.

SNAs are sanctioned by SENOs to schools specifically to assist in the care of pupils and students with disabilities in an educational context. SNAs may be appointed to a special school or a mainstream school to assist school authorities in making suitable provision for children who have been assessed as having such needs.

For some pupils, as they mature, their care needs may diminish over time. Pupils may move to a different school or on to a post-primary school. In such circumstances, the NCSE will review and adjust the overall level of SNA support in the school concerned. This may mean that some pupils who had previously been supported by a full time SNA may have their needs met through the shared support of an SNA or perhaps they may have no need for SNA support.

A value for money and policy analysis review of the SNA scheme is also underway. This is a comprehensive review of the rationale for this scheme, including the role of the SNA, and is expected to be completed during this year.