Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the situation at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 22 which is to lose its special class as of 31 August 2009, in view of the fact that it is a local centre of excellence for assisting students with special educational needs, and that all of the children with mild learning disability were placed in the special class on the recommendations of educational psychologists and clinicians; the way these children will be catered for in terms of getting the specific supports they need, estimated as up to 4.5 hours per day; when they will have access to 30 minutes of learning support a day in a group setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14298/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher as a result of the decision to apply the normal rules which govern the appointment and retention of teachers of special classes for pupils with a mild general learning disability. These special classes which are to close predate the 2005 General Allocation Model of allocating additional teacher support to schools to enable them to meet the needs of pupils with mild general learning disabilities as well as a number of other high incidence disabilities. All primary schools now have additional teaching support in place for this purpose.

All primary schools were allocated additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model to enable them support pupils with high incidence special educational needs including mild general learning disability (MGLD). Schools can decide how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils. Most pupils with a MGLD are included in ordinary classes with their peers and are supported by their class teacher. The curriculum is flexible so that teachers can cater for the needs of children of different abilities.

Teacher allocations to schools typically increase or decrease depending on pupil enrolment. In the case of classes for MGLD the normal pupil teacher ratio that applies is 11:1. My Department however permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of 9 pupils in the class. This minimum was not met in the school referred to by the Deputy. Therefore, the school no longer qualifies to retain the class.

When the General Allocation Model was introduced, schools with additional teachers in classes for MGLD were allowed to retain the teachers for these classes. Effectively, these schools received a double allocation. The number of these special classes has decreased since 2005 in line with falling numbers as pupils are supported through the additional teaching allocation provided and schools have integrated the children into age-appropriate mainstream classes. All of the other primary schools in the country who do not have classes for children with MGLD cater for these pupils from within the General Allocation Model.

I understand that the school in question has written to my Department making a case for retention of the class and this is currently under consideration. It would be expected, however, that provision would be made for these pupils within mainstream classes with support from the General Allocation Model. I wish to reiterate to the Deputy that pupils with a mild general learning disability have, and will continue to have, access to additional teaching resources to support their education.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if research has been carried out here and internationally into the attainment levels achieved by students with mild learning disabilities who receive intensive one on one support for two hours daily versus those cohorts who receive limited group support for 30 minutes; if those who receive less support will require State support into second level for a longer period; if those who do not receive such support are more likely to earn less and thus either cost the State more money in terms of social welfare payments, or cost the State in terms of lower income tax receipts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14299/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked my Department to contact the Deputy directly to discuss the information sought. Since the introduction of the General Allocation Model in primary schools there has been significant experience of beneficial mainstreaming of children with mild general learning disability in primary schools. My Department has asked the National Council for Special Education to advise on the role of special schools and special classes and this advice is awaited.