Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 2:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"— commends the Government for continuing to prioritise the allocation of resources to support the education of pupils with special educational needs;

— notes that the Government is continuing to fill special needs assistant posts and resource and learning support teacher posts at a time when a moratorium on filling posts applies in the wider public sector;

— notes the level of expenditure on additional dedicated resources for special education of some €1.3 billion which is almost 15% of total education expenditure;

— notes that provision has been made for the coming school year for 10,575 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) which is more than were in place in 2010 and in preceding years;

— notes that the number of resource teachers for special needs children in mainstream schools is at an all time high of 9,950;

— notes that the cap on Special Needs Assistants was introduced by the previous Government when Ireland entered the Programme of Financial Support with the EU and IMF;

— notes the recent review of the special needs assistant scheme and in particular the findings that the scheme has assisted as many students as possible to be included in mainstream schools, that it is contrary to best practice for SNAs to adopt a pedagogical role and that there is a need to clarify the 'care' nature of the SNA role for parents, schools and professionals alike;

— notes that school transport for children with special educational needs continues to be prioritised and that no charges have been introduced for these pupils; and

— recognises that special education will continue to be a priority for the Government and that the considerable provision of resources for special education must be deployed in the most equitable and effective manner possible."

The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has asked me to apologise for his absence from tonight's debate. He is in Chicago as part of efforts to increase international student numbers in Ireland, in line with commitments made in the programme for Government. In the education area, he will address the National Association of Fellowship Advisors, attend a function aimed at promoting the George Mitchell Scholarship Programme, promote links with Irish-educated alumni, and promote Ireland to a group of high schools. He will also hold meetings with the Chicago Board of Education and engage in a number of wider activities for the Irish community in Chicago and the American Ireland Fund.

This evening's debate provides an opportunity to clarify some of the confusion evident in some of the public comment on the provision of supports for children with special educational needs. It also provides me with an opportunity to reassure all parents of children with special educational needs that their children will continue to have access to an education appropriate to their needs.

It is important to note that 15% of the entire budget of the Department of Education and Skills - €1.3 billion - will be spent in support of children with special educational needs this year. The provision is in line with expenditure in 2010 and shows that despite the current economic difficulties, funding for special education has not been cut.

The Government is committed to the protection of front line services for pupils with special educational needs. This year we will fund approximately 9,950 resource and learning support teachers in schools. That represents an increase of 350 over last year. Additionally, we have protected staffing levels in special schools and special classes attached to mainstream schools. More than 1,000 teachers are in place in special schools. The average pupil-teacher ratio in special schools nationally is 5.6:1. Also, 500 special classes will be in place in mainstream primary and post primary schools.

All sides of the House will recognise that it is necessary to ensure that educational services are delivered within the limits of the resources available. Within these limits however the Government will prioritise and support special educational services. The Government will not however re-visit the previous Government's decision to place a cap on the number of posts available under the special needs assistant, SNA, scheme.

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