Written answers

Tuesday, 24 April 2007

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

11:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 835: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to open up the role of the special needs assistant in the classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14419/07]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 839: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the criteria for the appointment of special needs assistants in primary schools; if she will extend the criteria to include the educational needs of children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14435/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 835 and 839 together.

The allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to support children with special educational needs has significantly improved the ability of such children to access education. Very significant resources have been invested in this area and there are now over 8,600 whole-time equivalent SNAs in primary and second level schools supporting children with special needs compared to 300 in 1998.

SNAs and teachers have separate yet complementary roles. SNAs provide care support to pupils with special educational needs who have been assessed as having such needs while teachers deliver education to the pupils. I have no plans, at present, to formally extend the SNA role to be that of a para-educator.

In allocating SNA supports, special educational needs organisers who are officials of the National Council for Special Education, operate within the parameters of my Department's criteria for the allocation of such resources. These criteria are set out in my Department's circulars having regard to the recommendations of the Report of the Special Education Review Committee, 1993, also known as the SERC Report.

I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education and the education partners, ensure that all children with special educational needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 836: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the ratio for special needs assistants to pupils in special needs schools for Dublin; her plans to increase this ratio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14430/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The ratio of SNAs to pupils in special schools, including those in Dublin, is determined by the special educational needs of the pupils. Special schools catering for children with a severe or profound general learning disability or autism would typically have 2 SNAs per class of 6 pupils. Special schools catering for children with a physical disability would typically have 1 SNA for each class of 10 pupils and so on.

Where the care needs of a particular child are very significant, it is open to a school to apply to their local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) for additional support. In such circumstances, the SENO will consider the supports that are available in the school and the needs of the specific child within those needs. Enormous progress has also been made in relation to increasing the number of SNAs in our schools nationwide. There are now over 8,600 whole-time equivalent SNAs in primary and second level schools nationally supporting children with special needs compared to 300 in 1998.

I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education, ensure that all children with special educational needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 837: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow which has submitted an application to her Department and the Health Service Executive for full State recognition and appropriate funding for a centre of education for children in County Wicklow with autistic spectrum disorders; if she will ensure that children with autism in County Wicklow are treated equally to others and are given the same opportunities as the hundreds of children with autism attending the 12 ABA schools around the country; if its application will be sanctioned as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14431/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism, receive an education appropriate to their needs. My Department's preferred approach to the provision of appropriate education for children with autism, is through the primary and post primary school network, whether through placement in mainstream classes, in special classes or in special schools, a view that is supported by the findings of the Task Force Report on Autism. My Department supports a multi-skills approach in regard to the education of children with autism where a range of teaching methods are available e.g. Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

In this regard my Department has established:

188 special classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools;

5 special classes for children with Asperger's Syndrome;

18 pre-school classes to facilitate the demand for early intervention provision for children on the autistic spectrum;

14 Stand alone facilities providing an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) specific methodologies on a pilot basis — 2 of these facilities have yet to be established.

An application for inclusion in the pilot scheme from the group referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 838: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the outcome in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [14432/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that home tuition has been sanctioned for the pupil in question.

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