Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that any parent who has a diagnosis of a child with special needs is faced with huge challenges. I understand that. We have appointed an independent adviser to Government, which makes decisions about suitable placements, the National Council for Special Education need, NCSE. On foot of its recommendations, we have more than doubled the number of ASD units from 550 in 2011 to over 1,300. Every year we add 150 to 180 special units. On teaching resources, we have put in 1,600 additional resource teachers in the past two years and 3,000 special needs assistants, SNAs. We are putting in huge investment to support children with special education needs. The decision as to what is the most appropriate placement is decided on the advice of the NCSE. About 60% are in mainstream classes, some 20% are in special units in mainstream schools and about 20% are in special schools. We are dramatically expanding provision in this area and continue to respond to need. We have completed a review and rolled out a new model of providing resource teachers to schools, which is working well. There is universal support for the new model. We have undertaken a review of SNAs, which will shortly come to Government to assess how be might improve it.

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