Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Advocacy groups such as AsIAm, Down Syndrome Ireland, and Inclusion Ireland have written to the Department of Education asking for the recently revised special education teaching, SET, allocation model to be paused until those most affected are meaningfully consulted. Countless families and advocacy groups felt as though their needs were ignored when the new allocation model was announced. Despite getting in touch with the Department, AsIAm, Down Syndrome Ireland and Inclusion Ireland believe they have not been provided with sufficient clarity that this new model will be inclusive and equitable for all students with the greatest level of need. The removal of complex need in particular has jarred with many. Suggestions from the Department that this is due to an increase in special classes in schools is nothing but a weak excuse.

Beyond that, many parents wish for their children to remain in mainstream schools in an inclusive and accessible setting but the new model makes this increasingly more difficult. In accordance with the wishes of those charities that do incredible work, will the Minister cease this model for the moment in order that we can have a full consultation with those groups? Has the Minister allocated from his Department a budget for any review or appeals?

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