Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 151: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding (details supplied). [2795/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As previously outlined to the Deputy all centres participating in the ABA pilot scheme funded by my Department have been granted recognition as special schools for children with autism. I am pleased to update the Deputy that following their recognition the new schools are currently progressing well in the transitional phase. The majority of them have appointed Principal Teachers and have commenced the recruitment process for other teaching posts. It is my intention to continue to support the transitional process.

The issue that the Deputy raises on behalf of the parents in question relates to a privately run centre to which my Department has no role in funding. However I am aware that a bi-lateral arrangement was agreed between this centre and a centre participating in the pilot scheme. My Department was not party to the arrangement. On request officials from my Department facilitated a meeting of the Boards last year to discuss the position. However I must again emphasise that the resolution of funding and enrolment issues are a matter for the Boards locally. Furthermore I must also emphasise that a school placement is available for the child concerned.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 152: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Council for Special Education has accepted that an extra special class should be provided for a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that an additional teacher has been agreed for the school, however, despite the case for an extra class being accepted and an extra teacher agreed, it will be impossible to provide the extra class due to the fact that no special needs assistants are to be allocated for that class; her views on whether this is logical, fair or equitable in view of the fact that there are five pupils involved and that each would be entitled as a right to an SNA were they to attend mainstream schools and that only two extra SNAs would be required to enable the extra class to be established; and if she will take immediate steps to rectify the situation. [2796/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in all mainstream and special schools. This includes determining the level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support in schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE has advised my Department that they are satisfied that there are sufficient SNA resources at present in the school concerned, which would allow them to cater for all of the children in the school, including those in the proposed new special class.