Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for being here. I appreciate that he is a very sincere and compassionate person, as well as a public representative. He has a deep understanding at heart of the issues we have here. However, I have to say that I am disappointed that the Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Madigan, is not here. I informed the Cathaoirleach's office that I would be willing to defer this really important matter until the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, was available. As she is not available, I am happy to proceed. I understand that the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, is in campaigning mode and that there is a convention coming up. However, when we are dealing with matters relating to quite niche areas such as this, namely, special education, the relevant Minister or Minister of State should be present.

I tabled this matter on foot of a number of different communications I read and listened to. I have no doubt that many Senators received communications from the National Principals Forum. To be fair, we do not get that much communication from the latter. The forum is a very distinguished group, and I am always inclined to read and listen to what its has to say. It is calling for a comprehensive reform of special education teacher, SET, allocations. On my way here this morning, I listened on my local radio station, KFM, to Derval McDonagh from Inclusion Ireland speaking about this same issue.

I take this opportunity thank school communities. Those communities are doing so much work to make our schools more inclusive. They are also trying to ensure that those with special or additional needs have the opportunity to attend their local schools with their siblings and peers. School communities need support from the Government and in the context of policy. An analysis of the special education teacher allocations for the 2024-25 academic year reveals very stark inadequacies in provision for children with special learning needs. This is what the National Principals Forum claims. Some 76.4% of principals report that their SET allocations do not meet the meet the needs of their schools and 81.6% of them questioned the accuracy of the student data.

According to the National Principals Forum, the Department of Education has revealed that children with complex additional needs have been discounted by the algorithm that is used. Some 37% of schools report a reduction in the numbers of their SETs, despite evidence that classrooms have a much higher number of children with additional needs than ever before. This goes totally against the recent National Council for Special Education, NCSE, report in which reference was made to trying to make education inclusive. If what I am talking about proves to be the case, it would mean that children with special needs are going to be pushed into special schools, where the original allocation was, or into SET classes.There should always be the choice. Children with varying needs will have different capacities, and we should always support the child and support the situation within a school that suits them. Adam Harris has spoken about this too and about that potential to push children from mainstream into special school or special class settings. I note that The Irish Timestwo days ago reported that "the department has pledged that existing hours assigned for complex needs will be maintained for each school", but what happens when a school has applications from more children than it has had? We need to ensure that there is consistency and that the criterion of complex needs is kept.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this matter and acknowledge her long-time work in this space.

I stress at the outset that enabling students with additional needs to receive an education appropriate to those needs is an ongoing priority for this Government. The SET allocations provide additional teaching support for students with special educational needs enrolled in mainstream classes in primary and in post-primary. Approximately 98% of all children, including those with special educational needs, are educated in mainstream classes. There has been an increase in the number of full-time SET posts across the country, increasing the overall availability of resources. This is the highest number of SETs ever in our schools. There will be 14,600 SETs supporting mainstream classes in the 2024-25 school year, which is an increase of 1,000 since the end of the 2021 school year.

There has been a limited change to the method used to allocate SETs to mainstream classes. The previous SET allocation model had been in place since 2017. The Department commenced a review of the model in late 2022 to ensure that it was meeting the changing needs in special education. This review involved consulting with unions, management bodies and schools to hear their views on the strengths and shortcomings of the allocation model. That feedback was incorporated into the revised model.

The allocations to schools issued on 6 February last arise from that review. The allocation model for 2024-25 distributes the total available number of SET posts in line with each school's profile of need. The model makes an allocation on the basis of a number of inputs, including enrolment numbers. Children with complex needs are supported in the model by now using school-level data from standardised tests in order to reflect relative levels of overall need. The model also seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account as much evidence as possible in respect of individual schools and evidence in respect of the best possible use of resources.

Of schools across the country, 67% have either increased their allocation or retained their previous allocation, but I acknowledge Senator O'Loughlin's remarks in the context of retaining an existing allocation and will bring them to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Foley. Of those schools whose allocation has been decreased, 70% have reduced their hours by five hours or fewer.

The Department is cognisant that the model needs to evolve in order that the SET allocations process takes into account new or improved data sources and other changes within the school system. A phased high-level plan has been compiled to further enhance the model over the coming years. The Department acknowledges that every school is different and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method. This is always a challenge when making allocations in respect of 4,000 schools. It is for this reason that the Department, working with the NCSE, has streamlined the review process for special education teachers. Schools that have any concerns can engage with the NCSE on their allocation. I will also bring Senator O'Loughlin's remarks directly to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Foley.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for his response. I am still somewhat confused. I also have to point out that the allocations to the schools were issued at 11 p.m. on the Friday of a bank holiday weekend, which is simply not good enough.In terms of the number of SET posts in line with each school's profile of need, if two children with complex needs apply for a place in a school next September, how is that borne in mind in the context of this model? I appreciate that reviews need to happen and that we need to streamline and make the process better for everybody. Managing this process, particularly the cluster process that is there, is difficult. We need a student-first approach. It is sometimes difficult to be a member of a Government party talking about some of the policies that are in place but I will always put children and their families first. We need to put the needs of the students at the heart of things. To be honest, I still believe, despite what the Minister of State has said and the response he has been given by the Minister's office, that we need more clarity. I appreciate that the Minister of State will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Foley, and I ask him also to bring it to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I again acknowledge the Senator's expertise in this space. The notification of hours was not ideal and the Department has acknowledged that and apologised. That school profiles are going to be updated every year, as opposed to every number of years, may deal with the issue and ensure the allocations are relevant. However, I will bring the Senator's specific concerns directly to the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan.