Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of special needs assistants that will be employed for the 2012/2013 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25908/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. 10,575 whole time equivalent SNA posts are available to the NCSE for allocation to schools for the 2012/13 school year. There has been no reduction in the number of SNA posts available for allocation over last years figure. All schools were advised to apply to the NCSE for resource teaching and SNA support for the 2012/13 school year by 16th March, 2012. In considering applications for SNA support for the new school year, the NCSE will take into account the individual care needs of all qualifying children, supports freed up due to any school leavers, and the identified care needs of newly enrolled children with special educational needs. The total SNA allocations for the coming school year will be dependent on the number of valid applications for SNA support received by the NCSE. Schools will be advised by the NCSE of their SNA allocation for the 2012/13 school year by June of this year.