Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a resolution of the special needs assistant issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath can be found as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25181/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a special needs assistant and educational opportunities in respect of a person (details supplied). [24569/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 162 together.

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 Special Needs Assistants (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.

I understand that officials from the NCSE and from my Department have recently been in contact with the school concerned, in relation to the child referred to by the Deputy, regarding his requirements for care support and Irish Sign Language provision for the current school year. I understand that appropriate arrangements have now been agreed with the school authorities in this regard for this child.