Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 610: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants that were made redundant in south Tipperary on 29 January 2010, or in the weeks preceding or following that date; when an audit of special needs assistants was agreed by his Department; the rationale of this audit; the provision that has been made for children previously being assisted by special needs assistants and who will now have to be educated without one; his views on schools being left without any special needs assistants; and if children's outstanding applications to be assessed for special needs assistants are being delayed by this audit. [7980/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department became aware of increasing evidence that a number of SNA posts were not being used in line with the SNA scheme criteria. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) was requested by my Department in February 2009 to arrange for its SENOs to review SNA allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts are properly met. There has been no change in these criteria and the review is being carried out by reference to those criteria.

SENOs are 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, 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.

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. The NCSE continues to process applications for SNA support from schools. There is no question of SNA posts being removed from schools where they continue to meet the scheme's criteria. However, there is also no question of posts being left in schools where they are deemed to be surplus to pupils' care needs. Resources left in an area that are not in accordance with criteria mean public resources are not available for another deserving area.

I am arranging for the specific information sought by the Deputy to be compiled and issued as soon as possible.