Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 34: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he expects to be in a position to meet the requirements of children with special needs in mainstream education over the next four years, with particular reference to the provision of special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14404/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There has been no reduction in the overall number of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). 10,575 posts are available which represents a significant increase in the numbers of SNAs over recent years. It is considered that with careful management and distribution of these resources that there should be sufficient posts to provide access to SNA support for all children requiring support.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has issued a circular to schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of SNA support to eligible schools.

The NCSE asked schools to submit all applications for SNA support to them by 18th March, 2011 and intend to inform schools of their annual SNA allocation as soon as possible. The allocations for future years will be considered in the context of the estimates for those years.