Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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7. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to address the concerns of parents of children who are attending a school (details supplied) and the parents of children attending other schools in a similar position who have recently heard that their school could lose an assistant under the special needs assistant scheme for the 2016-17 school year; if the ratios as set out in the report of the special education review committee are sufficient to meet the needs of the children concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18073/16]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The Government's approach to special needs education seems to revolve around fitting needs to resources rather than putting the needs of individual children first. The SENOs who decide schools' SNA allocations every year often do not even meet the kids involved but make decisions which affect the rest of their lives. The announcement of 566 new resource teaching posts is welcome, but until the Government invests in needs-based supports on an individual basis, there will be issues. Is there a plan to implement the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004? It would change things dramatically.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is responsible for allocating special needs assistants, SNAs, to schools in accordance with my Department's criteria for allocating such support. An additional 860 SNAs will be available for allocation to schools from September 2016, bringing to 12,900 the total number of SNA posts available, at a total annual cost of €425 million. The number of SNA posts has increased by almost 22% since 2011. As such, the number has been increased during the recession in the light of the individual needs to which the Deputy rightly points.

The criteria by which SNAs are allocated to schools are set out in my Department's circular to the committee to which the Deputy referred. The NCSE is not restricted solely to the allocation within the circular and can make additional SNA allocations for classes where necessary and taking into account the needs of individual pupils.

The level of SNA support allocated to a given school can change from year to year as students with care needs leave, new students with care needs enrol, or as students develop more independent living skills as they get older and their care needs diminish over time. It is open to any school to lodge an appeal in respect of the level of SNA support which has been made available via the appeals process available atwww.ncse.ie.

I am asking the NCSE to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the SNA scheme in order to provide better outcomes for students with special needs and to ensure we are making the best additional investment for children with special needs.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The 2004 Act provides that children with special educational needs will be educated in an inclusive environment with children who do not have special educational needs. A mother in Wexford has contacted me who had two children in Scoil Mhuire. Her eldest son went through the process when the facilities available were far greater. At the time 57% of children transitioned into mainstream education. Today there is a 0% transition rate and her second child has not had the same opportunity. The Minister can talk about the extra numbers the Government is applying to this, but the truth is that the numbers who need help have increased dramatically and the Government has not kept pace. It is about resources rather than meeting individual needs. Unless the Government changes things, more and more children will fall through the cracks and it will actually cost the State more in the long term. Is there any chance the Government will look at the individual needs of the kids involved and address them accordingly by providing them with a proper chance to transition into mainstream education?

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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To put matters in context, the provision for special educational needs has been increased by 27% in the past few years while, for example, funding for higher education has fallen by approximately 22%. This area has not been neglected but rather is one in which the Government has, rightly, made significant contributions. The amounts are allocated on two bases. Some is provided as a general allocation to a school, while some is provided specifically for children with specific needs. The latter allocations are based on the report to which the Deputy referred and continue to be made on that basis. There is a continuing provision which commands more resources for these children. We are seeing more special classes in which they are being educated. This has been an area which badly needed investment and an investment in its development has been made. I am determined to ensure we will use the money in the best possible way. The Deputy is right in saying we need to move towards personal, individual plans and that we also need to deal with this issue in a whole-school environment, being sensitive to the support the children need to be within mainstream education and not separated from it. That is where the effort is being made.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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While her eldest kid attended the school, 18 children had 18 special needs assistants, SNAs, and 57% of those children transitioned into mainstream schooling. In recent years, the 18 was cut to eight. Now, none is transitioning to mainstream schooling. This is not rocket science. I am not saying that there is an endless supply of money, but surely we have an obligation to give a greater priority to those who most need it. This State support makes a difference to kids' lives. An investment by the State prevents people from falling behind, but the woman's youngest son will never progress to mainstream schooling. What a difference between his situation and her eldest son's. It is time that cannot be bought back. The early years are a formative period, even more so for children with autism. We must address this issue more positively.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The allocation to children has not changed. It is being honoured throughout. There was a cut of 15% per child some time back, but the allocation has been provided throughout the period. My information is that there are still 18 SNAs in the school to which the Deputy referred and that there has been no cut to eight, but I will investigate the matter. The mother and child concerned are entitled to appeal to the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which allocates on this basis and is charged with ensuring the child is properly catered for within the allocation. I will check and revert to the Deputy on the question of SNA allocations in the school. I am assured that although there has been one loss, it was due to natural turnaround in that the group of children being cared for can change from year to year. The allocation depends on the group's needs.