Education and Skills: Educational Needs of Special Needs Children 4th July 2013

Uimhir:120, 125, 126, 127, 133, 134

Ceist Pharlaiminte

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíoctha

To the Minister for Education and Science

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to
be in a position to meet the educational needs of children with special needs
at primary and second level in all areas throughout the country in both small
and large schools; the steps he has taken to address any such emerging issues;
and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2013.
Reference Number: 32503/13, 32508/13, 32509/13, 32510/13, 32516/13, 32517/13

Freagra

Minister Ruairí Quinn

I propose to take questions 120, 125, 126, 127, 133 and 134 together.

The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to the protection of
frontline services for pupils with special educational needs. The level of
resources devoted to supporting children with Special Educational Needs has
been maintained at €1.3 billion this year. This includes provision for 10,575
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), nearly 10,000 Learning Support and Resource
Teachers, provision for over 600 Special Classes attached to mainstream schools
at reduced pupil teacher ratios, enhanced capitation for special schools and
special classes and provision for assistive technology support.

Approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department €“ some €1.3 billion €“
was spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs in 2011/12. The
provision for the 2012/13 school year is in line with expenditure last year and
shows that the overall level of funding for special education has been
protected despite the ongoing severe financial position. There has been no
reduction in the level of funding to support children with Special Educational
needs since this Government came to office.  

The level of investment being provided will ensure that provision can continue
to be made to provide for the educational requirements of children with special
educational needs, enrolled in all schools, including schools in Co. Kildare,
to ensure that children with special educational needs, including those with
Autism and Aspergers Syndrome can continue to have access to educational
facilities in line with their requirements.  

In relation to the number of school places available for children with special
educational needs throughout the country and in County Kildare, the policy of
my Department is that children with special educational needs should be
included in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. All
schools and all school places are therefore available for children with special
educational needs to be enrolled to. In circumstances where children with
special educational need require more specialised interventions, special school
or special class places are also available.

The Deputy will be aware that the NCSE recently published comprehensive policy
advice on Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs in Schools.

I have, as suggested by the Report, requested the NCSE to establish a Working
Group to develop a proposal, for consideration, for a new allocation model for
teaching supports for children with Special Educational Needs based on the
profiled educational needs of children in schools.

In the interim, I wish to ensure that children will not be disadvantaged while
we move towards a new model which will ensure greater fairness and quality of
education for children with special educational needs. That is why I have made
the decision to maintain the existing allocation levels this year.