Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

10:00 am

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 642: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the criteria for the appointment of special needs assistants in primary schools; if she will extend the criteria to include the education needs of children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29415/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Special needs assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools to enable them to support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

SNAs and teachers have separate yet complementary roles. The class teacher is responsible for educating all pupils in his/her class, including any pupil with a special educational need. In this task, the teacher may be supported by a learning support teacher and/or resource teacher. SNAs are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities in an educational context.

My Department is currently carrying out a Value for Money and Policy Review of the Special Needs Assistant scheme. This is a comprehensive review of the rationale for the scheme, including the role of the SNA. It is expected that this review will be completed in 2010. The report, when completed, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

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