Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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10. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the adequacy of provisions in the special needs sector, with particular reference to the number of teachers, special needs assistants and school places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10757/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Spending on provision for children with special educational needs has been prioritised in recent years, despite the enormous pressures on the public finances. Funding for special education provision in 2016 will amount to €1.4 billion, which is equivalent to approximately 17% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training. This has increased by 10% in the past two years. It provides for a range of supports and services, including additional learning and resource teaching support, access to care support, special transport arrangements, building adaptations, enhanced capitation, the purchase of specialised equipment and the services of the National Educational Psychological Service. The funding also provides for enhanced levels of capitation in special schools and special classes and additional teacher training, and home tuition support for pupils with special educational needs who are awaiting a school placement.

This year, 12,040 special needs assistants are available for allocation to primary and secondary schools to the end of the 2015-16 school year, which is an increase of almost 14% in the number available since 2011. There are currently more than 11,800 learning support and resource teacher posts in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, providing additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has allocated 6,832 resource teaching posts to mainstream schools this year, which is an increase of 29% since 2011. In addition, more than 150 new special classes have been opened for the 2015-16 school year. The combination of supports provided in mainstream schools, along with the increased special school and special class provision, mean that school places are available for all children with special educational needs, regardless of their level of need. There is still along way to go and, as committed to in the programme for Government, I plan to examine the adequacy of the present policies and provision and their scope for improvement, particularly with regard to speech and language difficulties and early intervention.

1. Total special educational needs, SEN, spend:

2. Resource teachers

Numbers 2015-2016: 6,852

Provision 2016-2017: 7,452

Overall cost: €411 million in 2015-16; €447 million in 2016-17

Resource teaching, RT, allocations from 2011 to 2015-16

3. General allocation model, GAM

Numbers for 2015-16: 4,273 at primary school and 742 learning support posts at post-primary level.

Overall cost: €300 million

GAM and learning support allocations 2009-2015

*From 2012-13, GAM and post-primary learning support allocation are also provided for English additional language support. Since that time, the GAM has been updated annually based on increases to mainstream classroom teaching posts, which are based on school enrolments.

4. Special needs assistants

Numbers 2015/2016: 12,040

Demand 2016/2017: 975

Overall cost current: €403 million

Additional cost for 2016: €8.5

Additional annual cost: €25.8 million

Direct cost of SNA programme, 2010-2015

*The number of whole time equivalent, WTE, SNAs refers to calendar year-end figures of SNA and also excludes 60 SNAs working in the early childhood disadvantage programme.

**Whole time equivalent costs are estimated by dividing the estimated direct cost of the programme by the number of WTE SNAs in the scheme in that school year. For example, in 2011 the cost of the scheme was €332 million, and at the end of school year 2010-2011 there were 10,260 WTE SNAs, which gives a WTE cost of €32,360. Figures are inclusive of employers' PRSI.

SNA cap

SNA growth in comparison to demographic growth

5. Special Schools

Number of schools: 125

Number of children attending: 7,949 in the 2014-15 school year; 2015-16 figures being finalised by the statistics section.

6. Special classes:

Number of primary and post-primary schools with special classes from 2011-2012 to 2015-2016

7. NCSE

Budget: pay: €6.425 million; non-pay: €1.7 million

HQ staff numbers: 20

SENO numbers: One senior SENO manager, nine senior SENOs, 70 SENOs

NCSE council term expired on 31 December 2015.

Chairperson, Eamonn Stack, re-appointed on 8 January 2016.

12 members to be appointed.

Summary of increases 2011-2015

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Arising from the Minister's reply, does he remain committed to re-evaluating the requirements? In light of demographic changes, is he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the provision of school places, particularly with regard to teachers and special needs assistants? Is he satisfied that throughout the country in all circumstances he will be able to meet the needs as presented by various school authorities?

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the review is to assess the extent to which the needs are being met. The reply I gave outlined the provision in place and, to be fair, there has been a significant increase in resource teaching, special needs assistants and the number of special classes. The number of pupils served has considerably increased, so far more children with special needs are being supported in our schools. Clearly, this is an area where the need is always growing and there are undetected needs that we are only identifying. This is an area in which we can never say we have met all of the needs. The establishment of the national council has helped to develop policy and improve the capacity of schools to support children, particularly in the mainstream. I hope the evolution of a new model for allocating support to schools will see a step forward. It is being piloted in 47 schools and if this proves a success I hope the lessons learned can be moved to other schools to enhance the service.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister believe it is possible to meet the needs in particular areas throughout the country where specific pressure for school places has arisen and where, annually, parents find themselves having to look for alternative places for their children, whether it be because of a need for resources or a diagnosis of autism?

That involves both teaching and accommodation requirements which may need to be met in the short term. Does the Minister think that would be possible, given the resources available?

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There is, of course, always pressure on resources but there is a provision in the admission to schools Bill that it will not be possible for any school to turn away a child on grounds of his or her special needs. That implies a commitment to support children in the schools to which they seek enrolment. The figures speak for themselves. There has been a huge expansion in support services to match the needs of children who need support. I expect that the pressure on resources will continue and there will be a continuing allocation. Having special education needs organisers, SENOs, has given children and their parents a specific point of access and I hope that system is proving its value. As I said, I will review this and if there are weaknesses, either regionally or generally, I will certainly take note of the Deputy's concerns.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister.