Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will publish the final report of the National Council for Special Education on the review of special needs assistants in schools; if the separate value for money review into special needs assistants has been concluded; if so, if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32134/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) 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. The review is currently under way and it is intended that it will be completed during 2009. The NCSE will not be preparing a report in relation to the review. However, SENOs will communicate directly with schools in relation to the outcome of the review.

My Department is separately carrying out a Value for Money and Policy Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme. It is expected that this review will be completed by the end of 2009. Once completed, a final report will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.