Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants that have been withdrawn from classrooms to date in 2010 as part of the national review of special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9353/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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. The purpose of this review is to ensure that all SNA posts meet the criteria governing the allocation of such posts, as outlined in my Department's Circular 07/02.

As part of this review, the NCSE will identify and suppress any surplus posts which do not meet the scheme's criteria - for example, posts that have been retained when a pupil's care needs have diminished or when 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. SENOs are communicating the outcome of the review directly to schools as the review progresses.

The NCSE has advised that the review will be completed by end March 2010. I will be glad to advise the Deputy of the outcome of the review once it is complete.

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.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a report from the National Council for Special Education on the matter of special needs provision in schools; when he plans to publish this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9354/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to the review of special schools and special classes being undertaken by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). I understand that the NCSE expects to be in a position shortly to send me a copy of the research it has commissioned concerning the role of special schools and special classes. The NCSE proposes to publish this research on its website in the near future.

While the NCSE has funded this research, it states clearly on its website, and the final research item will state, that the views and opinions contained in such research reports are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the NCSE.

This research may be one of a number of many strands of evidence to be considered by the NCSE when formulating its position in relation to special schools and special classes. Ultimately, it s expected that advice received from the NCSE will assist my Department with policy formulation in relation to the role of special schools and special classes.

I look forward to receiving the research from the NCSE.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the additional special needs resources provided to each of the schools which had special classes for children with mild general learning disabilities abolished in 2009, in tabular form; the resources that allocated to each school following the abolition of their special classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9355/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to my Department's decision last year to close a number of special classes for pupils with a mild general learning disability (MGLD).

I would like to assure the Deputy that there will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher as a result of the decision to apply the normal rules which govern the appointment and retention of teachers of special classes for pupils with a MGLD. All primary schools have been allocated learning support/resource teaching support through the General Allocation Model specifically to support pupils with a high incidence special educational need, including MGLD.

The specific information requested by the Deputy with respect to pupils with a MGLD is not available as schools decide themselves how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils and how to adjust their support in line with the changing needs of pupils as they mature.

Some schools advised that a number of pupils with a low incidence special educational need were enrolled in these classes. My Department advised these schools to apply to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for additional resource teaching hours for the pupils concerned. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.