John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The revised programme for Government commits the Government to no further increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary and second level schools for the lifetime of the Government. Under the revised programme, we will provide 500 teaching posts between primary and second levels over the next three years. These posts will be allocated to the schools that are most seriously affected by the recent increase in the pupil-teacher ratio, using objective criteria which will be agreed in advance in consultation with the education partners.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate educational intervention and supports for children with special educational needs continues to be a key Government priority. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network.

The Deputy will also be aware that there has been unprecedented investment in providing supports for pupils with special needs in recent years. There are now approximately 19,000 adults in our schools working solely with pupils with special needs. This includes over 10,000 special needs assistants, SNAs, compared to just 300 in 1997. There are over 8,000 resource and learning support teachers in our schools compared to just 2,000 in 1998. Over 1,000 other teachers support pupils in our special schools. Significant investment has also taken place for pupils with special needs in the provision of transport, specialist school accommodation, home tuition, assistive technology and equipment. Additional teaching and SNA supports will continue to be allocated as necessary by the National Council for Special Education in line with my Department's policy to support children with special educational needs.

In the 2009 budget, additional funding of €10 million was allocated to the Health Service Executive for 125 additional therapy posts in disability and mental health services. Some €7.2 million of this funding will provide for 90 additional therapy posts in the disability services area. These posts will be targeted at children of school-going age and will include speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists.

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