Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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840. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has been given to reviewing the level of training required to be a special needs assistant; her views that the current level is sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20052/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department's Circular 0044/2014 sets out the current minimum educational requirements for appointment as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA).

People appointed to SNA posts are required to have: 1. A FETAC level 3 major qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications; 2. A minimum of three grade Ds in the Junior Certificate; or 3. Equivalent

The above are the minimum qualifications required for appointment as a SNA. The actual requirements for a post will vary depending on the specific needs of the children and the school to which the SNA is to be appointed. When recruiting an SNA school authorities must list in the advertisement any specific competencies and/ or requirements to meet the special educational needs of the pupil(s).

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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841. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified speech therapists who are working in primary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20053/15]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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842. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified speech therapists who are working in secondary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20054/15]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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843. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified occupational therapists who are working in primary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20055/15]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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844. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified occupational therapists who are working in sedondary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20056/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take questions 841 to 844, inclusive, together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the availability and provision of health-related services, including speech and language and occupational therapy supports, is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.

The Health Service Executive, which has statutory responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing health related therapy resources for children with disabilities, to multi-disciplinary geographically based teams as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).

This Programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years, which was produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children.

The Programme aims to bring about equity and consistency, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families to services, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of the child's difficulties. The Programme is a key priority for the Executive's Social Care Directorate in 2015.

An additional €4 million was specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme. This equates to approximately 80 therapy posts. A further additional €4m (full year cost of €6m) has been allocated this year to assist in implementing the Programme.

Matters in relation to the provision of health-related services should be directed to the Health Service Executive as the body with responsibility for the provision of such services.