John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed in primary, special and post-primary schools in Waterford city in each of the past five years and to date in 2010; the number of special needs pupils benefiting in Waterford city in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38652/10]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed in primary, special and post-primary schools in County Waterford in each of the past five years and to date in 2010; the number of special needs pupils benefitting in County Waterford in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38653/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.

The information requested by the Deputy on the number of special needs assistants employed in Waterford City and County is not readily available. The number of Special Needs Assistants employed nationally in each of the past five years and on 30th September 2010 is available in the attached document. The details for each of the past five years are the December figures for the year in question. The primary schools information is inclusive of the special schools details.

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 Deputy is aware that my Department is very supportive of the 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. The SNA scheme will continue to be supported and 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.