Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 384: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the circumstances surrounding the post of special needs assistants in primary schools; the number and location of schools here which have lost SNAs; the number of SNA posts lost in Dublin Central; the effect of the current review of SNA posts on the schools in Dublin Central; if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is adversely affected by the cutbacks on SNA posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16481/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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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 review of SNA allocations being carried out by the NCSE, through its network of SENOs is 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. At the same time the NCSE is allocating additional posts where the criteria are met. The terms and criteria for the SNA scheme have not changed.

The specific information requested by the Deputy regarding SNA posts in the Dublin Central region is not readily available in the format requested. I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. I want to take this opportunity to state that the NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and resources will continue to be allocated to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.