Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 656: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied). [6103/10]

Joe Behan (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 711: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils at primary and second level who have lost the services of a special needs assistant in the period from 1 September 2009 to 1 February 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6788/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 711 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is at present carrying out a review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) 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.

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/medical needs leaving, the number of new pupils, the changing needs of the pupils and any surplus identified. Furthermore, schools can make applications at any time with the result that the individual situation of any school can change and allocations are not static for a school year in the same way as are, for example, classroom teaching posts. The NCSE is independent in the making and issuing of its decisions relating to SNA allocations. The NCSE has advised that the review will be completed by end March 2010. At that point, the NCSE will provide me with a report on the outcome of the review. I wish to assure the Deputy that SNA support will continue to be made available to schools which have enrolled pupils who qualify for such support.