Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the records that must be provided in order for special needs assistants to avail of incremental credit for previous relevant work experience; the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused incremental credit for one past employer, despite significant past experience; the reason the person has not yet had a decision on an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13600/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The scheme for the award of incremental credit to Special Needs Assistants is agreed with the Unions representing Special Needs Assistants, School Management Authorities, The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department. The scheme is set out in Circular letter 139/2006.

In accordance with the criteria set out in the scheme for the Award of incremental credit, credit may be awarded on appointment to a qualified Special Needs Assistants post (once the applicants probationary period is completed) in respect of period(s) of suitable experience gained in the course of non-special needs assistants service, if among other things, that experience can be confirmed with the employers company records.

The application referred to by the Deputy was initially refused by my Department on the basis that the employing organisation was unable to confirm details of the applicants employment for the relevant period.

The applicant has submitted further information in support of her application which is now under consideration in my Department.