Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

375. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SENOs currently active and the number of children assigned to each SENO area, in tabular form. [11116/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the NCSE Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities.

The NCSE employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Each SENO has responsibility for specific schools, primary, post primary and special, within their area. In general, the role of the SENO ensures that a child with special educational needs receives the supports they are entitled to. SENOs are available to advise parents in relation to supports which may be available to support children with special educational needs.The regional contact list can be found on the NCSE website:ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list

The SENOs provide a wide range of services and have many interactions with schools, parents, children and other organisations operating within schools. The SENO can be called on for assistance by principals, parents or others, and is available in person, by phone, or by e-mail. In addition to the ongoing support for children, the SENO also receives a high volume of one-off calls for assistance. Each SENO looks after an average of 300 children approximately, across special classes and special schools. In addition each SENO is responsible for engaging with approx. 55 schools.

The following table shows the number of SENOs allocated to each county.

The number of NCSE Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO) currently active by County