Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 510: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will grant a full-time learning support and resource teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19947/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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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. The allocation to schools is however enhanced in the case of schools experiencing large increases in enrolment and which satisfy the conditions under my Department's Developing School Criteria. The review of the General Allocation is at an advanced stage and is being considered within my Department. 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. The Department provided a circular SP ED 02/05 to schools to assist them in deploying the General Allocation Model resources.

You will be aware that the 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 to 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.