Dáil debates

Thursday, 2 July 2009

Other Questions

Special Educational Needs.

Photo of Tom HayesTom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason he has blocked funding for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26798/09]

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy's question relates to the recent decision to pause the increase in funding for the centre in question.

I am pleased to advise the House that funding for the centre has not been blocked. Indeed, funding provided this year has allowed for an increase in the number of staff at the centre. The Department has put on record that it is anxious to continue to work with the centre to develop additional programmes.

Given the current economic climate, a thorough review of all educational projects and programmes requiring expenditure was undertaken. I am sure the House appreciates that the level of competing demands within the education sector and the overall demands on Government finances has meant that it was not possible to provide additional funding to fully develop all projects currently under way.

The outcome of this process means that the Department is, unfortunately, not in a position to provide the funding required to expand the centre as had been intended this year. It had been intended that a major capital project would commence on site and that significant additional personnel would be recruited over the course of the next 18 months. However, it simply was not possible for my Department to provide the additional funding at this point in time.

I must stress that this decision does not mean that funding has been blocked. The centre will continue to be enabled to provide services and to develop some additional services. The Department is anxious to ensure the continuation of ongoing training and research programmes. I can assure the Deputy that the Department will keep expansion of the centre under review in the context of improved financial circumstances.

I wish also to assure the House that the Government will continue to prioritise funding to ensure that pupils with special educational needs will continue to receive an appropriate education, a commitment reflected in the allocation of more than €1 billion in 2009 to support pupils and young people with special educational needs.

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Has the Minister of State had an opportunity to visit the Midleton Centre for Autism? I and other colleagues visited it some months ago and saw at first hand the extraordinary work taking place there, bringing together children from the North and South on a collaborative basis to try to deal with many issues attached to autism.

Will the Minister of State accept that there was an implicit agreement on the part of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government of the Republic to fund the capital programme and outlay attached to this particular centre and that without that funding, which has been paused, the centre will not be able to develop its full potential? Will he provide further information to the House on the nature of the pause in capital funding currently taking place?

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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While the Minister has visited the centre, I have not yet had an opportunity to do so. As this matter comes within my area of responsibility, I will take the opportunity to visit the centre during the next six weeks.

The pause in funding in this regard is the same as that which applies in respect of every Department in terms of spending given the current economic situation. We believe that when the upturn takes place we will be in a position to fast track issues of importance such as this.

The Deputy made an important point in regard to North-South projects. This project is one on which we entered into agreement with our counterparts in the North. However, careful consideration must be given to all projects when funding is tight. Very difficult decisions had to be taken. The reality is that the Department cannot provide funding to every project currently under way. The Department is aware of the sensitivity that attaches to North-South projects, in particular those providing services in the area of special needs and has contacted our counterparts in the North to explain the difficulties in which we find ourselves, while reaffirming our commitment in this regard.

The level of ongoing research and training at the centre gives credence to the Department's commitment to reactivate funding in this area.

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Northern Ireland Minister expressed surprise to hear of the Department's decision not to proceed with capital funding for the Midleton Centre for Autism. Was the Minister for Education in Northern Ireland informed in advance of the decision being taken? Will the Minister of State indicate to the House the scale of the pause? This unique project in Midleton is about bringing together children and their parents in a residential setting for a number of days or weeks to deal with the issue of autism on site. Without capital funding, it cannot progress. It is important the Minister of State points out the scale of pause involved.

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Northern Ireland Minister for Education, Ms Ruane, was made aware of the decision. I reiterate the Government's commitment to education by way of its €1 billion investment this year in support of children with special needs. I am not in a position to state the length of the pause or what will be its impact. However, the matter raised by the Deputy is being prioritised within the Department, as has been made clear.

It is important to state on the record that the Minister meets regularly with his opposite number in the North to discuss a wide ranging agenda consisting in the main of special educational needs, educational under-achievement, teacher mobility and so on. The Government is committed to providing the best it can given the scarce resources available.