Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 32: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to review the allocation of special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3674/10]

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

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers, is carrying out a review of Special Needs Assistant allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts, as outlined in my Department's circular 07/02, are properly met. This is an exercise in identifying surplus posts which are in the system and which do not meet the current criteria – posts that have been retained when a pupil's care needs have diminished or where the pupil has left. Special Educational Needs Organisers are communicating the outcome of the review directly to schools as the review progresses. The allocation for any school and any adjustments to that allocation depends on a number of factors such as the number of pupils with care or medical needs leaving, the number of new pupils, the changing needs of the pupils and any surplus identified. It is expected that the NCSE will have completed the review by the end of March 2010. I assure the Deputy that Special Needs Assistant support will continue to be made available to schools which have enrolled pupils who qualify for such support.