Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to review Department circular SPED09/04; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2987/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The proposed new system of teacher allocation involves a general allocation to all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs, that is, pupils with borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability. The allocation is also intended to support those with learning support needs, that is, those functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and-or mathematics. This approach to allocating resources for special educational needs is substantively in line with current thinking in many European countries. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system.

I should emphasise that individual applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower-incidence special educational needs.

I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly, I am having the proposed model reviewed to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities, without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive a level of service appropriate to their needs. The review involves consultation with representative interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented in the next school year. Circular SP ED 09/04 will be considered in the context of the review.