Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has given any consideration to expanding the role of special needs assistants in schools throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6490/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that my Department has published a Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Analysis Review of the Special Needs Assistant scheme. This review is available on my Departments website: www.education.gov.ie. The Review has shown that the SNA Scheme has been successful in supporting schools in meeting the needs of students with disabilities who also have significant care needs. However, the review also found that the allocation process is generally not well understood within schools and by parents nor is the purpose of the Scheme fully understood. The review recommended that the SNA scheme should be restated to ensure an efficient allocation of SNA resources and to clarify the 'care' nature of the SNA role for parents, schools and professionals. However, the review did not recommend expanding the role of the SNA. My Department has established a working group which is presently implementing the recommendations of the SNA Value for Money report.

I can also advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a formal role under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 to advise me as Minister in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities.

- the identification and assessment of children with special needs- the nature of supports provided for children

- the way in which supports are allocated to schools and

- how these supports are configured.

The advice from the NCSE is expected in the coming months. It is my intention that the significant resources to support children with Special Educational Needs are deployed to ensure the best possible outcomes for students. The advice will be a key input into achieving this goal.