Joe Behan (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 712: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will instigate a pilot scheme to allow schools the option to top up the social welfare income of special needs assistants who have been made redundant thereby allowing the schools to retain the services of the special needs assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6789/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans to instigate a pilot scheme along the lines suggested by the Deputy. There has been no change to the scheme under which posts of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools to enable them to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities. Schools, which have enrolled pupils who qualify for support under this scheme, will continue to be allocated SNA posts. However, where the pupils concerned have left the school or where the care needs of the pupils have diminished, the SNA posts will be suppressed.