Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to ensure that all teachers and assistants have access to specialist training. [18531/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Teacher Education Section has provided for a comprehensive system of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in the area of special educational needs. Central to this is the "Special Education Support Service" (SESS). The Teacher Education Section of my Department established the Special Education Support Service (SESS) in September 2003. The service consolidates co-ordinates, develops and delivers a range of professional development initiatives and support structures for school personnel working with students with special educational needs in a variety of educational settings. These settings include mainstream primary and post-primary schools, special schools and special classes.

The CPD provided by the SESS covers a range of specialities, including inter alia:

Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

Dyslexia

Challenging Behaviour

Post-primary issues in Special Educational Needs

Specialist training for Autism Units attached to schools. As part of an initiative rolled out for the 08/09 school year, teachers can have SESS training in the area of ASDs accredited by St Angela's College in Sligo.

In addition, Teacher Education Section funds several third level courses in teacher training colleges and universities. These include:

Combined Post-Graduate Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development for Teachers involved in Learning Support & Special Education (available in seven colleges across the country) (300 places available annually).

Masters in Special Educational Needs (St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra) (16 places available annually)

Graduate Certificate in the education of pupils with ASD (St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra) (18 places available annually)

Online Certificate/Diploma in Education (Special/Inclusive Education) (150 places available annually).

In terms of training for Special Needs Assistants, Teacher Education Section currently funds a certificate for Special Educational Needs Assistants delivered by:

St. Angela's College, Sligo (55 places available annually)

Mary Immaculate College, Limerick (45 places available annually)

Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines (25 places available annually).

Introductory courses are also provided through Education Centres, which can be taken as a stand alone course or as part of the above-mentioned certificate.

In total it is estimated that over 20,000 places will be provided to teachers for Continuing Professional Development in Special Educational Needs in 2008. Special Needs Assistants availed of almost 530 places in 07/08.