Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding special needs assistants for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; the number of SNAs that are in the school at this present time; and if the school be able to retain them for the year. [2274/10]

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 (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The school in question currently has the services of two full time SNAs. 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 its attention and direct reply in relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy.