John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

The education partners have indicated that they are broadly supportive of the general allocation model and the emphasis it places on inclusive education alongside providing flexibility to schools in supporting pupils who are eligible for this support. The Minister has stated that the Department of Education and Science is currently reviewing appeals from some of the schools where classes are due to be discontinued. The Department has also listened to the concerns of the INTO regarding a small number of schools and discussed the issue with the IPPN. In a number of cases, it has emerged that some pupils should be resourced more appropriately through other mechanisms, and advice to this effect will be provided to the schools concerned.

The Government will continue to prioritise investment in special needs education. Even in the context of the current economic circumstances and the many difficult choices that had to be made in the 2009 budget, the Minister managed to secure an additional €10 million for developing the capacity of schools to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. Specifically, the funding will expand the National Educational Psychological Service, enhance the capacity of the National Council for Special Education to co-ordinate the provision of services to children with special educational needs and invest in teacher training so that the learning and teaching needs of all pupils with special educational needs continue to be met.

The education and health sectors are adopting an integrated approach to target these additional resources at the areas of greatest need. There is improved co-ordination between the education and health sectors through the establishment of a cross sectoral team and the appointment of Deputy Moloney as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for disability and mental health. This debate has provided an opportunity to clarify the position regarding mild general learning disability classes. The Government assures parents that priority will continue to be given to providing for children with special educational needs.

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