Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The motion addresses a number of areas of considerable concern regarding the education system. While the main thrust of the motion is towards the enhanced provision of resources and supports for children with special educational needs, it calls for more generalised improvements in primary education through the reduction of class sizes.

Of principal concern is the introduction of the weighted system for the allocation of special educational resources and I welcome the Minister's statement tonight that the scheme will not be in the same form as was announced last year.

Historically, children with special educational needs were poorly provided for within the education system. However, in 1998 with the advent of the Education Act, a clearer intention was signalled to provide education for children with special needs. This was followed by the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, which was a flawed document in many ways when first presented. Fine Gael tabled more than 300 amendments to that Bill and, by working with parties, ensured that the Act significantly improved upon the presented Bill. The Minister at the time, Deputy Noel Dempsey, accepted many Opposition amendments.

Following the Education Act 1998, a number of circulars issued from the Department of Education and Science. One of these, circular 08/02, is of particular interest. This departmental missive listed, in appendix one, categories of disability and the corresponding number of hours per week that a pupil experiencing such difficulties should expect. Circular 08/02 acknowledged the need of children for resource teaching hours. For example, for borderline and mild general learning disability, the weekly allocation was listed as 2.5 hours. A similar 2.5-hour allocation was indicated for children with a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia. However, just before the schools closed for summer holidays last year a new procedure was instigated and the details of this new departure were included in circular 09/04. This was the new weighted system which the Minister has dealt with in her contribution.

In appendix one of this more recent circular, the specific time allocations for the categories of mild general learning disability, borderline mild general learning disability and specific learning disability have disappeared to be replaced with the words "Access to SET support-weighted model". When the former Minister for Education and Science was questioned on the result of the implementation of this circular, he stated clearly that some schools would lose resources under the new arrangements. I am pleased that the Minister is considering a revision as I believe it cannot be allowed to continue.

Where resources have been allocated to meet assessed needs, the needs do not change and the resources should remain in place. Why was no mention of this system made in the lengthy discussions on the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act? It would have been a major mistake for the Government to have continued in the direction in which it was heading with circular 09/04. Following her statement tonight will the Minister clarify whether from September 2005, children with special educational needs will be entitled to the allocation of resource hours as was their right under circular 08/02 or whether this will change? These 30-minute per day allocations cannot be lost. It is not the appropriate response from the Department of Education and Science, which should seek to meet learning needs and not curtail its response to them. The Minister has provided the House with some explanation in her contribution tonight as to the reasons for the weighted system.

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