Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 69: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will rule out any further reductions in the number of special needs assistants posts in budget 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41263/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the preparation of the Budget is carried out on a strictly confidential basis and as a result it would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on this matter in advance of the formal announcements involved. The Government has made it clear that difficult decisions will be necessary across the broad spectrum of public expenditure in order to secure the significant level of savings required. This will obviously impact on sectors of public expenditure, including the education sector. The Government will, however, seek to ensure that the necessary savings are achieved in a fair and equitable way. I can, however, confirm for the Deputy that I am 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.