Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of special needs assistants employed at each school in County Donegal for the school year beginning September 2010, the corresponding figure for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the expected figures for 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19599/11]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 168: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of special needs assistants employed at each school in Dublin 22 for the school year beginning September 2010, the corresponding figure for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the expected figures for 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19600/11]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

The information requested on the number of special needs assistants employed in County Donegal or in Dublin 22 is not readily available. The number of Special Needs Assistants employed nationally from 2007 to 2010 is available in the table. The details for each year are the December figures for the year in question. The primary schools information is inclusive of the special schools details.

SNAs are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities in an educational context. The class teacher is responsible for educating all pupils in their class, including any pupil with a special educational need. In this task, the teacher may be supported by a learning support teacher and/or resource teacher. I wish to clarify for the Deputy that SNA allocations are not permanent as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. The allocation of SNAs in each school can therefore alter from year to year.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special needs resources to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and special needs assistants will continue to be deployed to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy. Number of Special Needs Assistants