Mr. Eddie Ward:

I thank the joint committee for the invitation to present to it. Government policy on supporting children with special educational needs aims to ensure all children with special needs, including children with Down's syndrome, have access to an education appropriate to their needs. The policy is to provide for inclusive education to ensure the maximum possible integration of children with special needs into ordinary mainstream schools. Where pupils require more targeted interventions, special class or special school placements are also provided. Significant financial provision is made to ensure all children with special educational needs can access education. The Department of Education and Skills spends approximately €1.75 billion, or almost 19% of its total educational budget, annually in making additional provision for children with special educational needs. The main supports provided with this funding are over 13,400 special education teachers in mainstream schools who provide additional teaching support for pupils with special needs, 15,000 special needs assistants, 125 special schools and over 1,450 special classes in mainstream schools. Other supports include a funding scheme to provide assistive technology and fund special school transport arrangements. A significant amount of time is put into the development of a new curriculum and innovation in that regard. Professional development opportunities are provided for teachers, as well as teacher training. Support for schools, including the July provision scheme, is also provided. The Department's National Educational Psychological Service provides support and advice for schools.

The Department has established the NCSE to advise it on policy in meeting special educational needs and to develop and deliver a variety of support services for children and their families. For example, schools and teachers can apply to the NCSE for help from its support service, including specialist support and guidance in all areas of special education, including children with Down's syndrome.

Support can take the form of workshops tailored to the needs of a school and the teachers in particular communities. Approximately 2,500 applications were received for school supports in the 2017-18 school year.

The NCSE also develops courses. There is a particular course dedicated to dealing with children with Down's syndrome. The NCSE has collaborated with Down Syndrome Ireland in the development of a number of differentiated lessons that are available to teachers and parents. As part of its policy-making remit, from time to time the NCSE develops policy papers and advises the Department. In so doing it conducts a lot of consultations with the various stakeholders. Down Syndrome Ireland is one of the key organisations it consults. Examples include the policy paper on the provision of education for children with autism spectrum disorder, the 2018 comprehensive review of the special needs assistant scheme and, more recently, the policy being developed on special schools and classes.

The Department aims to improve educational outcomes for all children, including those with special educational needs, and significant investment has been made. I agree that providing for inclusion in schools has been one of the major successes in recent times. As policies evolve and services develop, the Department and the NCSE will consult and work with all stakeholders, including Down Syndrome Ireland, to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for all children.