Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 480: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to introduce a panel system similar to that used for teachers that could apply for special need assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25720/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Special Needs Assistants are allocated to provide for care needs of pupils with special educational needs in accordance with specified criteria. The needs of individual children and the number of such children can change over time with consequent changes to a school's SNA allocation. Accordingly, redundancy arrangements agreed at national level operate for special needs assistants employed in primary and second level schools. The terms of the redundancy arrangements are set out in Circular 0058/2006 which is available on my Department's website.

There are no plans at present to introduce a redeployment panel system for special needs assistants. My Department is currently carrying out a Value for Money Review and Policy Analysis of the SNA scheme and this is expected to be completed this year.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 533 of 29 October 2008, the progress regarding the provision of an educational service (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25722/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy's office has clarified that this question is requesting an update on the accommodation needs of a special class in a mainstream school and also details on the educational provision available for children in this special class once they have completed primary school.

I can confirm that my Department has received an application from the National School to which the Deputy refers. The application was assessed and assigned a Band 1 rating under the published prioritisation for large scale building projects. This is the highest Band rating possible, which reflects the urgency which the Department attaches to the project.

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of the Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.

In the meantime, it is open to the school concerned to make an application to the Department's School Planning and Building Unit for temporary accommodation if required.

The Deputy will be aware that one of the functions of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is to ensure that a continuum of special educational provision is available as required in relation to each type of disability. The NCSE has established a nationwide network of special classes for children with autism in primary, post-primary and special schools. The NCSE will continue to establish additional special classes as necessary.

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 details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and reply.