Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has established a working group to develop a proposal, for consideration, for a new model for the allocation of teaching supports for children with special educational needs, based on the profiled educational needs of schools.

Mr. Eamon Stack, the NCSE chairperson and former much respected chief inspector in the Department, has been appointed to chair this working group. I received an oral briefing from the chairperson on the progress of the work of this group to date on 2 October 2013. The group expects to complete its work by the end of spring next year.

The NCSE consulted widely with interested parties in developing its policy advice and I understand that the working group has also consulted a range of interested parties, including parents and representative groups, as its work has progressed. I look forward to a considered debate on this matter when the proposals are finalised.

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