115 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of primary and secondary schools in County Kildare that employed special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4586/11]

The information requested by the Deputy on Co. Kildare schools that employed special needs assistants is not readily available. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special needs resources to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and special needs assistants will continue to be deployed to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.