Written answers

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants that will be allocated to primary and secondary schools in County Louth from September 2013; the comparable figures for 2011 and 2012; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the number of SNA's per school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30972/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 including resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

Details of all of the SNA allocations which have been made to schools by the NCSE for both the 2012/2013 and 2013/14 school years are available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie and can be viewed on a per county basis, including all of the details of allocations made to schools in County Louth. The NCSE has advised my Department that they allocated 157 SNA posts to schools in County Louth for the 2011/2012 school year.

The number of posts available to the NCSE for allocation this year has been maintained at 10,575 posts and there has been no reduction to the overall number of posts available for allocation. The allocation that is made to schools annually is based on the number of valid applications received. Where a school enrols new pupils who have care needs in advance or during the school year, schools may apply to the NCSE for additional SNA support or for a review of their SNA allocation.

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.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.