Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 488: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the general allocation for learning support is based on figures five years old in terms of each school's catchment area; the reason the promise of a three yearly review has not been enforced to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25182/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, a new general allocation system was introduced in May 2005, under which schools have been provided with resource teaching hours, based on their enrolment figures, to cater for children with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia and those with learning support needs.

This system was intended to be introduced for the 2004/2005 school year. Schools were notified of this in June 2004. However, it was not possible to introduce the general allocation system until the school year 2005/2006.

The allocation of resource teaching hours to individual schools under the system in respect of the current school year is at the same level as applied in the 2005/06 school year except in the case of schools with developing school status which qualify for an increased allocation.

A comprehensive circular (Sp Ed 02/05) issued to all Primary Schools in 2005 regarding the organisation of teaching resources for pupils who need additional support in mainstream primary schools. The main purpose of this circular was to provide guidance for schools on the deployment and organisation of the teaching resources that were allocated under the general allocation system. Reference was also made in this circular to the deployment of additional teaching resources that are allocated to schools for the support of individual pupils with low incidence disabilities. Further circulars, 0036/2006 and 0034/2007 issued to all Primary Schools regarding the updated position in relation to these teaching resources.

It is anticipated that the general allocation system will be reviewed after three years in operation.