Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no language unit for pupils with speech and language difficulties in counties Carlow and Kildare; and if he would consider locating such a unit in a school (details supplied) in County Carlow. [33546/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. This includes the allocation of resource teaching hours to schools as well as the establishment of special classes, including special classes for Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD), in various geographical areas, as required, and the discontinuation of such classes where the need no longer exists. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such supports.

Schools in the area referred to by the Deputy may apply to the NCSE to establish a special class for Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD), subject to criteria, and where they have a sufficent number of qualifying pupils.

Pupils who are not enrolled in a special class for SSLD and who meet the criteria for Specific Speech and Language Disorder, as outlined in my Department's Circular 0038/2007, may qualify for additional teaching support where he/she is enrolled in mainstream school. Applications for such support may be made to the NCSE through the local SENO. Pupils with mild speech and language difficulties may qualify for supplementary teaching support from within the school's general allocation of learning support/teaching support.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.