Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to parliamentary Question No. 666 of 8 July 2008, the steps he is taking to deliver on the commitment to preschool children with a special educational need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5409/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated to the Deputy in my response to Parliamentary Question 666 on 8 July 2008, the commitment to ensuring early intervention for preschool children with special educational needs is being addressed in the context of the implementation of the EPSEN Act 2004 and Disability Act 2005.

In the light of the current financial circumstances, it is not possible to proceed with the full implementation of EPSEN in 2010 as originally envisaged. However, the Government will keep the matter under review and is committed to the full implementation of EPSEN at the earliest possible date.

Meanwhile, my Department is providing supports to certain preschool children with special educational needs. Approval for 36 early intervention classes attached to primary schools, for children with autism, have now been approved around the country. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) will continue to establish more classes as required. The classes operate at a PTR of 6:1 with a minimum of two special needs assistants. Where a school place is not available, a home tuition grant may be provided for a child with autism while a school place is being sourced. My Department operates a visiting teacher service for deaf or hard of hearing children and children with visual impairments. Specially trained teachers, based in regions throughout Ireland provide the service. Visiting teachers aim to be a support to both the parents/guardian and the child. The support service can begin shortly following the birth of the child and follow through to third-level education where appropriate.

As announced on Budget day, an additional €20m has been provided — €10m for education services and €10m for health services — to strengthen and enhance services and continue the preparation for the full implementation of the Act at a later date.

The additional funding being allocated to my Department will provide for an expansion of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) so that all schools in the country will be covered by the service. The additional funding available to NEPS, which represents a 33% increase over the 2008 allocation, will facilitate the recruitment of up to 50 further psychologists. It is envisaged that this will bring the number of NEPS psychologists by the end of 2009 above the proposed 200 incorporated in the Programme for Government.

This investment will significantly enhance the capacity of our educational psychologists to directly support schools in the development and delivery of appropriate interventions for children with special educational needs.

Additional funding is also being provided to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2009 to increase the Council's capacity in the move towards the full implementation of EPSEN. The additional funding will enable the Council to continue to improve, plan and co-ordinate the delivery of services for children with special needs.

I have also provided for further investment in teacher training in this area. This will ensure that teachers are provided with opportunities to access continuing professional development so that the learning and teaching needs of all pupils with special educational needs continue to be met. The provision of high quality training ensures that pupils learning opportunities are enriched and learning outcomes are optimised.

An integrated approach is being adopted by the education and health sectors to target these additional resources to the areas of greatest need. Progress in both sectors will be kept under review by the Office for Disability and Mental Health and the Cross-Sectoral Team of the Departments of Education and Science, and Health and Children during 2009.

I want to take this opportunity to emphasise that priority will continue to be given to provision for children with special educational needs. I intend to build on the progress that has been achieved in recent years which has seen a huge increase in resources for special needs. The NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers. Along with all other areas of expenditure provision is dependent on the resources available to the Government.