Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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306. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the loss of a teacher and special needs assistant in respect of a school (details supplied). [31393/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The National Council for Special Education, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) are responsible for the allocation of teaching staff and a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support to schools, including special schools. The terms of circular 42/11, Staffing in Special Schools, in conjunction with Circular 38/10, Staffing Arrangements for Special schools, and the role of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) revises the annual teaching staff arrangements for special schools as from the 2012/13 school year, based on updated pupil profiles each year. This approach was adopted following discussions with management bodies, trade unions and the National Parent Councils. In effect, special schools are now staffed based on their actual current pupil profiles and disability category of each pupil, as opposed to primarily by school designation. School staffing schedules, to which the Deputy refers are reviewed and updated each year by the NCSE. The allocation of SNAs takes into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.

The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised. Special Schools were notified of their teaching staff and SNA allocations for 2014/15 by NCSE in June. Details of the mechanism for schools/parents to appeal a decision in relation to the allocation of teaching staff and SNA support by the NCSE are available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.