Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his position on the decision of his Department not to facilitate new job-sharing arrangements for special needs assistants for 2012/13 when there has always been a precedent to facilitate same; the reasons schools were not informed of this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36372/12]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when will an agreed scheme and circular be in place in relation to job-sharing arrangements for special needs assistants; if the decision not to facilitate new job-sharing arrangements for SNAs for 2012/13 discriminates against SNAs looking to avail of a new job-sharing arrangement while at the same time existing job-share arrangements can continue without any circular and agreement in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36373/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.

At present there is no agreed job-sharing scheme for Special Needs Assistants. Discussions have commenced between my Department, representatives of SNAs and school management bodies in relation to arriving at an agreed job-sharing scheme. It is hoped to finalise these discussions early in the new school year and publish the new scheme shortly after that.