Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the recommendations in the value for money review of the special needs assistant scheme and the clear evidence highlighted in the review that the role of SNAs here has evolved to include an educational remit, if he intends to regrade SNAs to reflect this evolving role; if he will consider establishing a parallel learning support assistant position for which SNAs could apply assuming they had acquired the relevant skills for such a role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19186/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide further details on the way in which he intends to restate the purpose of the special needs assistant scheme following the findings of the value for money review of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19184/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 38 together. The Deputy will be aware that my Department has published a Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Analysis review of the Special Needs Assistant scheme. This review is available on my Departments website: www.education.ie.

The Review has shown that the SNA Scheme has been successful in supporting schools in meeting the needs of students with disabilities who also have significant care needs. However, it is clear that the allocation process is generally not well understood within schools and by parents nor is the purpose of the Scheme fully understood.

The review recommended that the SNA scheme should be restated to ensure an efficient allocation of SNA resources and to clarify the 'care' nature of the SNA role for parents, schools and professionals. The review did not recommend a change in the role of the SNA and there are no plans to regrade them.

The DES is currently establishing a working group which will consider and implement the recommendations of the SNA Value for Money report.