Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am not familiar with the details of Kate Crowley's situation, as referred to by the Deputy. The Minister for Education and Skills has likewise indicated that he is not aware of it. I assure the Deputy, however, that the Minister will examine the case, find out what has happened and respond to the Deputy very quickly indeed. It is fair to say that where somebody has a need, that need should be addressed.

On the general issue of special needs provision in our schools, despite the very challenging financial circumstances the country has faced, this Government has protected the budget for special education of €1.3 billion. Government policy has focused on ensuring that all children have access to an education that is appropriate to their needs, preferably in mainstream schools. A child-centred approach to the education of all children with special educational needs is promoted to ensure a continuum of special needs provision. We have protected the number of resource teachers and special needs assistants in schools. There are currently 10,575 special needs assistants in the system and 5,265 resource teachers.

The National Council for Special Education has announced the opening of 118 new special classes this month which will cater for up to 700 pupils at both primary and post-primary level. This is in addition to the 242 special classes already created during the lifetime of this Government, which represents a 50% increase in the availability of such classes since 2011. There are now more than 700 special classes catering for 5,000 pupils. More than 1,100 teachers are being provided in special schools to look after pupils with various disabilities at a much reduced pupil-teacher ratio, PTR. For example, the autism PTR is 6:1 and the moderate general learning disability PTR is 8:1.

In overall terms, 15% of the total education budget is spent on special education. That is as it should be. We all recognise that the special educational needs of children must and should be met.

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