Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 482: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40450/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. The Government took these decisions to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect Education expenditure, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure, could not be totally spared. I fully accept that while these decisions were not of themselves desirable they were necessary in securing the future economic stability of the country.

The renewed Programme for Government provides for a number of specific measures in the education sector including a commitment to no further increase in the pupil teacher ratio for the lifetime of the Government, 500 teaching posts over the next three years, funding for 28 additional psychologist posts, standard capitation grants to schools being maintained and an extra allocation being made available to schools for needs such as book rental schemes and curricular activities.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate educational intervention and supports for children with special educational needs continues to be a key Government priority. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network. Additional teaching and SNA supports will continue to be allocated as necessary by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in line with my Department's policy to support children with special educational needs.