Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if special needs assistant positions will be protected in ASD pre-schools in which the Covid-19 crisis has led to reduced numbers of children attending as a result of delays in diagnosis. [11028/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Schools have been notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2020/21.  SNA allocations for special classes and special schools continue to be allocated, by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), in the normal way. There is a prescribed ratio for allocating SNAs to special classes. 

Circumstances may arise where this level of support is not sufficient to meet the care needs of the cohort of students enrolled. In such circumstances, the school may apply to the NCSE for access to additional care supports, clearly outlining the reason why the additional support is necessary.