David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 637: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1123 of 19 January 2010, the schools at which the National Council for Special Education structured appeals process whereby schools and parents can appeal special education needs organiser decisions is currently being piloted; the duration of the pilot scheme; when this appeal system will be available to all schools and parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4478/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1123 of 19 January 2010, if there is an avenue of appeal of review for parents and schools who are unhappy with a special education needs organiser decision if they do not have any new information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4479/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 639: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 20 October 2009, if the National Council for Special Education has established an independent appeal advisory committee, comprising an independent chair, a parents' representative and a school management representative, which will consider cases where schools consider that the appeals process was inadequate or inappropriate in addressing the concerns or represents an irrational interpretation of the facts and application of the policy criteria; the membership of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4480/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 637 to 639, inclusive, together.

The Deputy is aware the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) intends to introduce a structured appeals process whereby schools and parents, where appropriate, may seek to appeal the decision of a Special Educational Needs Organiser in relation to the allocation of resources.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the current pilot phase of this structured appeals process is scheduled for completion later this month. The NCSE has advised that on completion of the pilot phase it intends to fully introduce a structured appeals process for all schools. I am asking the NCSE to contact the Deputy directly in relation the issues he has raised about the structured appeals pilot.

Separately, the NCSE will then set up an independent Appeal Advisory Committee, comprising an independent chair, a parents' representative and a school management representative. This Committee will consider cases where schools consider that the new appeals process was inadequate or inappropriate in addressing the concerns raised. I will request the NCSE to advise the Deputy of the membership of this Advisory Committee once it has been set up.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 640: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 20 October 2009 the amount allocated by his Department to the special education appeals board in 2009 and 2010; the expenditure in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4481/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 641: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 20 October 2009, if the position of Chairperson and two ordinary staff members of the special education appeals board will be renewed in April 2010; if additional staff will be appointed to the board; when the SEAB will begin accepting appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.

The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 provides for the establishment of the Special Education Appeals Board (SEAB), to hear and determine appeals under the act. The appellant sections of the Act have not yet commenced. As the Deputy is aware, the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government is to develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a costed multi-annual plan to implement some priority aspects of the EPSEN Act, focusing on measurable, practical progress in education and health services for children with special needs. All parts of the EPSEN legislation, which have not been commenced to date, will be considered during this process.

The Deputy will be aware that SEAB does not have a separate budget. My Department spent €68,695 in 2009 in funding its operations, having estimated for costs of €100,000. An allocation of €70,000 has been made for 2010. The term of office of the inaugural board members will end in April 2010. This issue is under active consideration in my Department.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 642: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants hours received by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [4486/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the level of learning support/resource teaching (LSRT) resources allocated to the school in question. The school has the support of one learning support resource (LSRT) post, 5 hours of which are shared with another school. According to information available to my Department the enrolment in the school was 44 pupils in the 2005/06 school year and is 82 pupils in the current school year. The general allocation model was introduced in primary schools in September 2005 to ensure that each school has learning support/resource teaching support available to meet the needs of children with high incidence special educational needs.

The allocation system under the general allocation model was linked to the school's enrolment in 2005 and it was decided not to review this aspect until the model had been in operation for three years. This review is now underway. The allocation to schools was however enhanced in the case of schools experiencing large increases in enrolment and which satisfied the conditions under my Department's Developing School Criteria.

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.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department's policy is to support the inclusive education of students with special educational needs across the schools system. In this context, a range of supports are provided to schools to enable them cater for pupils with special educational needs. The supports available include additional teaching support, special needs assistant support, school transport and grants for the purchase of teaching materials and specialised equipment.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.