Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Enormous progress has been made in recent years in increasing the number of teachers in our schools who are specifically dedicated to providing education for children with special educational needs.

At primary level there are now approximately 5,000 teachers in our schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.

At second level, there are approximately 1,599 whole-time equivalent resource teachers in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to approximately 200 such teachers in place in the 1997-98 school year.

At this stage there are approximately 6,304 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants, SNAs, in our primary and second level schools supporting children with special needs. The National Council for Special Education, through its network of locally based special education needs organisers, is responsible for processing any applications for additional SNA support that may be received from schools.

I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education, ensure that all children with special needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.

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