Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [24039/09]

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

I understand that the Deputy's office has confirmed that his question relates to resource teaching support in the school.

As you 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 primary and post primary schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The NCSE will undertake to review a decision taken by a SENO on foot of a request from a school or parents/guardians, when accompanied by relevant additional information, which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. The NCSE has outlined this process in its Circular 01/05.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

I have arranged for the information provided by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their direct reply.