John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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367. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify the issue on a special needs assistant in a school (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35213/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The National Council for Special Education reviews the provision of Special Needs Assistants to schools on an annual basis. The allocation for the school in question was reduced by one post for the 2015/2016 school year.

The senior SNA in the school retained her post when the allocation of Special Need Assistants was reduced and the post of the most junior SNA in the school was made redundant. Circulars 59/2006 and 58/2006 relate to the seniority of Special Needs Assistants and set out how staff are selected when a post is made redundant. There is no provision for voluntary redundancy in the redundancy scheme.

Where a post has been made redundant, the post holder may choose to remain on the SNA panel for up to two years or may be eligible to apply for redundancy under the terms of circular 58/2006.

The school management authority has been in contact with my Department and the position in regard to selection for redundancy in accordance with the terms of the Circular referenced has been outlined in correspondence with the school.