David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the statement, the professional who assessed the child is in the best position to advise on the amount of support, included on page two of Circular SP ED 07/02 applies when special educational needs officers are allocating special needs assistant hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31980/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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 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 circular in question predates the establishment of the NCSE which now has responsibility for deciding on the quantum of resource teaching and/or care supports to be allocated to individual schools to enable them to meet the needs of enrolled pupils with special educational needs. However, professional reports are provided as part of any application process for support. These should identify the frequency and extent of the child's care needs arising from the diagnosed disability. The SENO takes these reports into account along with other relevant factors such as the existing level of SNA support in a school when determining the level of SNA support sanctioned to a school.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an appeals process exists within the National Council for Special Education for parents who are unhappy with decisions of special educational needs officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31981/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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 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.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special educational needs officers employed here; the location of same; the educational and professional qualifications they hold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31982/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there are 84 Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) posts in the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). SENOs are deployed by the NCSE throughout the State to provide a nationwide service. Each SENO works in an assigned local area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs. 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. The office location of each SENO is set out in the attachment and may also be accessed through www.ncse.ie. The NCSE has advised that all SENOs hold a minimum qualification of a third level primary degree.