Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that when we look at the figures we see that in the past seven or eight years there has been an increase of more than 37%. Although we still have more work to do, the Senator will agree this is a significant increase. We have the significant number of 14,000 special education teachers in our schools providing support to students on a daily basis. A total of €1.8 billion is spent annually and this is having a significant impact throughout the country.

There is no statutory requirement to provide a particular form of individual education but there is a statutory obligation to provide education to students appropriate to their abilities and needs. The Minister has already outlined that the vast majority of schools provide these plans. They are focusing on where there are clear measurable learning targets, specifying the resources and interventions used to address student needs. This is in line with the continuum of support process. While subject teachers retain overall responsibility for the provision of education to students, in most instances special education teachers will develop the student support plans. Teachers are working with their students and with parents, families and the school to ensure the plans are in place. The Department informs me the supports and resources are there but if the Senator has information to the contrary I will pass it on to the Minister, who will continue to engage with the TUI and ASTI to ensure children receive the adequate support they require.