Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a special educational needs officer will be appointed to oversee a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10759/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was granted provisional recognition as a special school for children with autism in 2010, having previously participated in the ABA pilot scheme funded by my Department.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, in accordance with my Department's established criteria.

Although a SENO has been assigned to the school in question the responsibility for the staffing of the school remains currently with my Department. However the SENO is actively involved in processing applications for supports including school transport and assistive technology and collaborates with my Department on the staffing requirements for the school.