Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am very happy to raise this issue because many schools and parents have been in touch with me about their concerns regarding the recent circular on special education teaching, SET, hours. As the Minister of State knows, five criteria are currently considered, namely, enrolment, gender, the profile of the school, the degree of complex needs and the level of deprivation in the area. The Minister of State might be aware that next year's allocation will disregard gender and complex needs. There is a real concern that this will result in a reduction in the SET hours for many children with additional needs. The Irish National Teachers' Organisation, INTO, disagrees with the reduction in the number of criteria and believes the circular does not take sufficient account of those impacted, in particular in respect of social deprivation or those who do not speak English as a first language, which is an additional criteria that could have been considered.

Anecdotally, I have heard that about one third of pupils in schools will be impacted. During oral questions, I heard the Minister say that 63% of schools would see an increase in hours. Of course, that leaves the remaining 30% not seeing an increase. The implication is they could see a decrease.

We have to be clearer with parents. Everyone in the House is united in wanting the State to do more for the parents of children with additional needs. We and the Minister have come a long way in terms of additional ASD classes in areas where they were previously unavailable. We have persuaded many principals to consider the establishment of ASD classes because it is still a voluntary decision. They have done that, but there is now the prospect of a reduction in the overall SET hours. If I am wrong, I ask the Minister of State to clarify that. These are the concerns that are being brought to me by parents.

I am anxious that, as a Government, given that we have done so much in other areas, we are able to address this. I have raised this with the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, Deputy Rabbitte, and there are concerns across the board. If the Minister of State could address the issue, I would very much appreciate it.

See this speech in context