Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed by his Department in each year from 2005 - 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4984/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that this Government remains committed to the protection of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs. The continued commitment of this Government to special education provision, at a time when savings are being required across a range of expenditure areas has ensured that children with special educational needs can continue to have access to educational facilities in line with their requirements.
In line with this Government's commitment to protect frontline services for pupils with special educational needs, 10,575 whole time equivalent (wte) Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts are being provided for primary, post-primary and special schools for the current school year in order to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities.
The number of special needs assistants employed by my Department in each year from 2005 - 2012 is as follows:

*The total number of SNA posts approved by the NCSE for the 2011/12 school year was 10,320. The figure of 10,117 represents the number of posts in place at the end of Dec 2011.
** The figure of 10,390 posts at the end of 2012 are the number of WTE posts employed from the total of 10,575 posts available for allocation to the end 2012. The remaining posts are available for allocation by the NCSE to the end of the 2012/13 school year.
The NCSE has advised my Department that all children who qualify for access to SNA support, in accordance with the terms of the SNA scheme, are in receipt of access to such support in the current school year.