Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 403: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in the County Cork with special needs who are currently seeking access to second level education; the facilities in place to cope with this demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17901/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment in schools and therefore the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of students in County Cork with special needs currently seeking access to second level education is not available.

The level and extent of resources provided to support pupils with special educational needs depend on the precise nature of the special educational need of the particular pupil. Supports can include the allocation of additional resource teaching support, special needs assistants, special school transport arrangements and grants for specialist equipment and/or assistive technology. School buildings may be adapted where necessary.

The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs), co-ordinates special needs education provision at local level. SENOs act as single points of contact for parents of students with special educational needs.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie