Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will reverse the withdrawal of a special needs assistant from a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [47818/09]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will overturn the decision to withdraw a special needs assistant from a pupil (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [47819/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. 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.