Written answers

Tuesday, 17 May 2005

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

9:00 pm

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has received an application from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 for sanction for remedial help for a person who has a specific learning difficulty; when this service will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16012/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy has indicated that the pupil in question has a specific learning disability. This disability falls into the high incidence disability category. With regard to teaching supports for pupils within the high incidence categories, my Department has now completed its review of the general allocation, GA, system of resource teaching support. 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 GA system. 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. It is a matter for schools to make arrangements to provide teaching support to those pupils who qualify for such support from its GA allocation.

My Department is now devising school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the GA system. These will be notified to schools shortly along with the details of each school's individual allocation. This communication will clarify the position regarding the resource and learning support allocation available to the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the contents of correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16013/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has now completed its review of the general allocation system of resource teaching support. 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 general allocation system. 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.

With regard to the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, 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. This communication will clarify the position regarding the resource and learning support allocation available to each school. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been informed that there is no course or facility available to help them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16039/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that an application for four hours' resource teaching support for the pupil in question was considered by my Department. Resource teaching support was not granted as the pupil did not meet the criteria for such support. This decision was conveyed to the school on 4 February 2005.

The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which became operational on 1 January 2005, now processes applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. The NCSE will review decisions previously taken in relation to such cases on foot of a request from the school or parents-guardians when accompanied by relevant additional information which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. The NCSE has outlined this process in its circular 01/05 which issued to all primary schools.

My officials have been in contact with the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, who has confirmed that additional information in support of the application has been received. The SENO is examining the matter and will be in direct contact with the school authorities shortly.

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