Written answers
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Department of Education and Science
Special Educational Needs
10:00 am
Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 644: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances under which qualified tutors in the applied behaviour analysis programme are having their statuses changed to that of a special needs assistant; the reason her Department is ignoring its own circulars by requiring current applied behaviour analysis tutors under the proposed changes to fulfil a teaching role as a special needs assistant when previous circulars have clearly stated that a special needs assistant is prohibited from teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29429/10]
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that 12 centres in the ABA pilot scheme have applied to be recognised as special schools. Following discussions with the ABA tutors' union, it has been agreed that the ABA tutors will become Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in the special schools. The question of ignoring Departmental circulars does not arise as the normal terms and conditions of the SNA grade will apply. A redundancy package has been agreed for any ABA tutor who does not wish to transfer to the new special schools.
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