Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in which he intends to allocate the extra 350 special needs teachers he recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14359/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The 350 special needs teacher posts that I announced recently will be allocated as part of a new weighted system of teacher support for pupils with special educational needs. This new weighted system will involve two main elements: (a) making a staffing allocation to schools based on a predicted incidence of pupils with special educational needs; and (b) making individual allocations in the case of children with more acute lower-prevalence special educational needs. Transitional arrangements for the introduction of the weighted system are being developed at present in consultation with representative interests.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The detailed arrangements for the introduction of the weighted system that I announced recently are currently being finalised. The matter raised by the Deputy is being considered in that context.