Written answers

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Department of Education and Science

Budget Submissions

9:00 pm

Photo of John DeasyJohn Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 578: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that budget 2010 protects services for those with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36740/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate educational intervention and supports for children with special educational needs, including those with an intellectual disability, continues to be a key Government priority. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all pupils, including those with an intellectual disability, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network. There has been unprecedented investment in providing supports for pupils with special needs in recent years. There are now about 19,000 adults in our schools working solely with pupils with special needs. This includes over 10,000 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) - compared with just 300 in 1997. There are over 8,000 resource and learning support teachers in our schools compared with just 2,000 in 1998. Over 1,000 other teachers support pupils in our special schools.

As well as this significant increase in the numbers of additional teachers and SNAs directly providing appropriate education and care supports for children with special educational needs, much investment has taken place in specialist school accommodation, home tuition, assistive technology, equipment as well as the provision of special school transport arrangements. Planned expenditure levels for my Department is being considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010 and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

However, I want to take this opportunity to emphasise that children with special educational needs will continue to receive an education appropriate to their needs. The NCSE will continue to allocate teaching and special needs assistant resources in line with my Department's policy to enable schools support pupils with special educational needs.

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