Written answers

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

8:00 pm

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a report on the plans for accommodating children who have been affected by the decision to close down special classes in certain schools who are short of the threshold number; if he will establish a database of the children affected and request a quarterly report from the Special Education Needs Council and the receiving schools on the progress that these children are making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18875/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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All children with mild general learning disability (MGLD) who are in the classes being suppressed will be able to receive teaching support through the teaching resources allocated to primary schools under the General Allocation Model. Schools decide themselves how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils and how to adjust their support in line with the changing needs of pupils as they mature. My Department provided a circular SP ED 02/05 to schools to assist them in deploying the General Allocation Model resources.

It is not normal practice for my Department to receive progress reports in respect of individual pupils. Nor would my Department expect to receive information on how specific schools deploy the resources under the General Allocation Model or information which would populate a database of children receiving support under this model and I do not intend to initiate such a policy.

The key issue is 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 MGLD.

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