Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 531: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the rules and regulations regarding entitlement to special needs assistants in primary schools; if there has been a recent change in the rules and regulations which prevents more than one special needs assistant being in a classroom; if he will explain the particular ruling; when same was implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26407/09]

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

As the Deputy 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 (SNAs) 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 qualifying criteria for the allocation of SNA support is outlined in Department Circular 07/02 which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. There has been no change in the criteria governing the allocation of SNA support.