Education: Special Needs Educational Requirements 23rd January 2013

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied regarding the
adequacy of resources available to his Department to meet in full the
requirements of the special needs educational sector throughout the year; and
if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take questions 276, 287 and 291 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that this Government is committed to the protection
of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs.

The Programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for
this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the
educational experience of children, young people and students.

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. The
provision for the 2012/13 school year is in line with expenditure last year and
shows that despite the current economic difficulties, the overall level of
funding for special education has been retained.

In line with this Government’s commitment to protect frontline services for
pupils with special educational needs:

– 10,575 whole time equivalent (wte) Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts are
being provided for primary, post-primary and special schools for the current
school year in order to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities.

– Approximately 9,950 learning support/resource teacher posts, including those
provided under the General Allocation Model, are also being provided in primary
& post primary schools in order to provide additional teaching support to
pupils with special educational needs.

– Over 1,100 teachers are also being provided for in special schools providing
teaching to pupils with various disabilities at much reduced pupil: teacher
ratios, for example the autism PTR is 6:1 and the moderate general learning
disability PTR is 8:1.

– Enhanced levels of school capitation are payable to most special schools and
special classes and special School Transport arrangements for pupils with
disabilities are provided at a cost of over €60m per year.

– Approximately €1.3m is also provided annually to schools for assistive
technology support.

– Early educational intervention is provided for children with autism from 2 ½
years of age. There are now 76 early intervention classes for children with
autism attached to mainstream schools that are funded by the Department.
Funding is also provided through the home tuition programme for children with
autism who are unable to access placement in an early intervention class.

– An extended school year is also currently available for pupils who have
either a severe/profound general learning disability or who have autism.

The continued commitment of this Government to special education provision, at
a time when savings are being required across a range of expenditure areas has
ensured that children with special educational needs can continue to have
access to educational facilities in line with their requirements.

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 in mainstream and special schools this year, including such
children in Co. Kildare.