Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 644: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the cuts in both mainstream teachers and special needs assistants recommended by a special education needs organisation group for a school (details supplied); if his further attention has been drawn to the effect this will have on the ability of the school to fulfil its challenging function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4501/10]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 646: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers and special needs assistants that will be cut from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 as part of a recent special education needs organiser review; and if an appeal system is in the place. [4566/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 646 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 (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 NCSE is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. The Deputy will be aware that the NCSE, through its network of SENOs, is at present carrying out a review of SNA allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts 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.

I understand from the NCSE that the review process in the school in question is not fully complete and is expected to be completed within the coming days. In cases where adjustments to the staffing allocation in a school are necessary, the NCSE will liaise with the school authorities regarding the adjustment process. The Deputy may also be aware that the NCSE is currently in the process of establishing an appeals process and a pilot of this process is almost concluded. I understand that in a few weeks, all schools will be in a position to avail of the appeals process.

In the meantime, 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 such as professional reports which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision.

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 their attention and direct reply.