Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify his position regarding the cutting of resource teacher posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15732/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been an increase in the number of Whole time Equivalent (WTE) posts that are being provided for mainstream educational resource teaching/learning support in 2011 over 2010. The total number of WTE posts being provided for mainstream educational resource teaching/learning support (including under the General Allocation Model) for 2011 is approximately 9,950 WTE posts. By comparison approximately 9,600 WTE posts were provided for 2010.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teaching support to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. Circular 37/2011 provides information to schools regarding the arrangements which are being put in place for the 2011/12 school year for the allocation of Resource Teaching hours for children with assessed special educational needs. The NCSE are in the process of notifying schools of their allocations for the coming school year.