Written answers

Tuesday, 10 May 2005

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

9:00 pm

Photo of Cecilia KeaveneyCecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the proposed reduction in the number of classroom assistant hours and therefore classroom assistants at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15054/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that a review has been conducted in recent months to establish whether primary schools have the level of SNA support that they need for children in their care, whether they have resources which they no longer need or whether they need extra resources.

The review has found that some schools no longer have the care needs for which the SNA was originally sanctioned, i.e., in some cases the child may have left the school while in other cases the care needs of the child have diminished as the child has progressed through the school. In this regard, the schools where surplus SNA support was identified have been advised that they may retain this surplus until the end of the current school year.

I understand that the school concerned was reviewed recently by the local special education needs organiser, SENO. The outcome of the review has not yet been communicated to my Department. My officials will convey the outcome of the review to the school in question as soon as the information becomes available.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent of the help available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15075/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I understand from the relevant vocational education committee that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is enrolled and in attendance at post-primary school. Where a pupil with special educational needs enrols in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil.

My Department allocates additional teaching support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for pupils with special educational needs. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupil(s) involved and having regard to a range of factors including the overall resources available to the school. My Department has approved an allocation of 49 hours teaching support per week and 56 hours special needs assistant support per week to cater for the special educational needs of a number of pupils enrolled in the school in question, including the pupil to whom the Deputy refers.

The level of support allocated was determined after detailed consideration of the school's application, the supporting documentation provided and having regard to the overall level of resources already available to the school to address special needs issues. If the school authority is of the view that the existing approved allocation is incapable of addressing the current level of assessed special needs within the school and additional information to that already submitted becomes available, my Department will be prepared to reconsider the case.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 416: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the results of the review of special needs provision; if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will not lose any teaching staff; and if it will be given the maximum support. [15076/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The review of the general allocation system, GAS, has now been completed. The new model replaces that which was notified to schools in June 2004, which has been reviewed to take account of difficulties that it may have caused for smaller schools. I can confirm that 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September to facilitate the implementation of the new GAS.

The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.

My Department is now devising school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the general allocation system. These will be notified to schools shortly along with the details of each school's individual allocation. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. This circular will issue before the end of the current school year.

I am delighted to be able to get such significant resources for special needs provision in primary schools. Prioritising special needs and disadvantage has been top of my agenda since becoming Minister for Education and Science. I also want to acknowledge the support of the Minister for Finance and the Government in making the necessary resources available.

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