Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 217: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied); if the request from the school has been processed; the position regarding the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22412/11]

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

Firstly, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the existing level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support is being retained in special schools, other than those whose enrolments have declined significantly, in order to assist and protect the most vulnerable children in the education system.

I understand that the school in question will have an allocation of 28 SNAs from September 2011. I wish to clarify that SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

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 resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.

My Department's Circular 0042/2011 provides details of the staffing arrangements which will apply for special schools for the coming school year. This Circular outlines that, other than for special schools which have declining enrolments, the existing levels of SNA support will be maintained in special schools for the coming school year, with a review to take place in the Autumn.