476 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if the definition of a unit in respect of classes for autistic children at primary school is used for any other categories of special needs education; if so, the categories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7166/07]

As I advised the Deputy on 12th December 2006, I recently announced a series of measures to assist primary school principals with particularly significant levels of non-teaching duties.

The new measures include that when a school with a Principal and four or more mainstream class teachers also has a specialist autism unit, established under approval of the National Council for Special Education, the Principal will be appointed on an administrative basis. An autism unit is defined as two differentiated autism classes and provision for younger children with autism i.e. a total capacity for 12-18 children with autism.

The new measures also provide for the allocation of additional teachers to allow a Deputy Principal in mainstream schools that, in addition to their ordinary mainstream class teachers, also have five or more special classes for children with the more complex, low incidence, special needs, to operate as Administrative Deputy Principal.

The reference to a unit in my announcement relates to autistic provision only. I am satisfied that this measure will provide much needed support to schools to facilitate the establishment of special classes for children with special educational needs.

477 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science when a SENO for special needs education will be appointed in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7167/07]

The appointment and assignment of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is a matter for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), subject to overall staffing limits. There are 3 SENO posts allocated to deal with matters relating to children with special educational needs in the county Kerry region. One of these is currently vacant and the NCSE has advised my Department that it is making arrangements to fill this vacancy shortly.