John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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354. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Irish sign language interpreter who is paid the same rate as an SNA and is employed by a school (details supplied) will be retained. [65253/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department published the Enhancement to Irish Sign Language (ISL) Scheme provision on the 18th November. The scheme enables the provision of Irish Sign Language in-school support for students in mainstream schools who are Deaf and whose primary mode of communication and language is ISL. The circular confirms details of how the scheme is being implemented, and outlines revisions to the criteria for the inclusion of students in the next phase of the scheme. The application process for the scheme is also detailed in the circular.

This scheme is in addition to the existing provision in place to support Deaf students whose primary mode of communication and language is ISL.

The role of the ISL-Specialist Classroom Support (SCS) is to support the work of the class teachers and special education teachers and to complement other teaching and care supports provided for the students who meet the criteria. The focus of the ISL-SCS will be targeted to meet the needs of students attending a recognised mainstream school whose primary mode of communication and language is ISL and who meet the criteria outlined in the circular.

The NCSE will be commencing a recruitment campaign shortly to fill the positions. It is a matter for schools to apply to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for this support.

In relation to the retention of an SNA in a school I wish to advise that SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the children enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.