Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 413: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to reduce the number of special needs assistants in the context of Article 24 and Article 26 of the Lisbon treaty's Charter of Fundamental Rights, which declares that children shall have the right to such protection and care as is necessary for their well being; in allocations relating to children, whether taken by public authorities or private institutions, the child's best interest must be primary consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18176/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of appropriate educational intervention and supports for children with special educational needs continues to be a key Government priority. Over €1 billion is being spent in supporting special educational provision this year.

My Department is very supportive of the special needs assistants (SNA) scheme. It has been a key factor in both ensuring the successful integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream education and providing support to pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes.

I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the current review of SNAs is intended to ensure that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts are properly met and that there is a consistent application of policy in relation to the allocation of special needs supports across the country. I am on record in the House refuting claims that my Department had given a target to the NCSE for reducing the number of SNAs. This is not the case. The terms and criteria for the SNA scheme have not changed and the NCSE continues to allocate additional posts where the criteria are met.

At the same time, it has to be recognised that children with special educational needs progress and develop over time. Children also leave school for a number of reasons. It is good practice for supports to be varied and adjusted in line with such progress and development and for posts to be withdrawn where pupils have left the school.

Accordingly, the current review is not incompatible with either of the Articles referenced by the Deputy.