Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, to the Chamber.

I wish to raise the need for additional special education teacher, SET, and special needs assistant, SNA, resources for the pupils in Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in Cnoc na Cathrach.At present, 649 pupils are enrolled In Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, which is the largest national school in the city area. With that enrolment, there are 4.5 SNAs allocated and 155 hours allocated under the special educational teacher allocation, which is equivalent to 6.2 posts. This is not adequate and there is a need for at least two additional SNA posts and a further two SET posts. The model was reviewed and changed, and I understand these allocations are fine-tuned all of the time. At the system level, the total hours are allocated on the basis of 25% to enrolment, 68.5% to the educational needs profile and the remaining 6.5% to support educational disadvantage. It is imperative that the ongoing review results in additional resources.

It is recognised and generally accepted nationally and internationally that a quarter of the overall school population may have some form of special educational learning needs. That is quite a high figure. When there is an enrolment such as that at Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, it equates to many posts being necessary to meet the needs of the pupils. I have engaged with the principal and I know the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, has been engaging with the SENO, as well as the school principal. It is imperative that additional resources are made available under the review for Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh.

Is í Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh an bhunscoil is mó sa chathair, agus bhí sí mar phribhléid agam an scoil a oscailt go hoifigiúil nuair a bhí mé i m'Aire Stáit in 2019. Tá 649 dalta ag freastal ar an scoil i lár Chnoc na Cathrach, ceantar atá ag fás gach uile bhliain, ach níl ach 4.5 cúntóir riachtanas speisialta curtha ar fáil don scoil. Tá 6.2 post curtha ar fáil mar mhúinteoirí tacaíochta, ach teastaíonn níos mó. Teastaíonn beirt chúntóirí riachtanas speisialta breise agus beirt mhúinteoirí tacaíochta breise. Tá an t-éileamh sa scoil. Tá an príomhoide i dteagmháil leis an SENO, is é sin an duine a dhéanann an measúnú ar riachtanas speisialta den Chomhairle Náisiúnta um Oideachas Speisialta. Tuigim go bhfuil model nua i bhfeidhm le cúpla bliain anuas agus go bhfuil athbhreithniú ar siúl sa scoil faoi láthair. Bhí a lán tuismitheoirí i dteagmháil liom faoin ábhar seo, agus tá sé soiléir ó na tuismitheoirí agus ón bpríomhoide go dteastaíonn tuilleadh tacaíochtaí agus acmhainní sa scoil.

I have been contacted by many parents who have concerns about the allocation level and the fact there are additional needs. It is imperative that children get the best start, and providing additional posts is a solution to ensure that all pupils in need in Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh get the best start possible. If they do not get the best start in national school, that will have a knock-on effect in the years ahead. I know there is engagement between the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, the school and the SENO, and that a detailed review is ongoing. It is imperative that the review results in additional resources - both SNA and SET posts - for Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh for this year and the years ahead. It is a large school and, similar to all schools, it has additional needs.