Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that the special needs requirements in all schools throughout the country are likely to be met as far as possible for the duration of the current economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10525/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to reiterate for the Deputy this Government's commitment to the provision of resources for children with special educational needs.

As I recently indicated to the Deputy in my response to his question of 19 January 2012, there has been no reduction in the number of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) which will be available for the next school year, with 10,575 posts remaining available for allocation.

Neither has there been any reduction in the overall number of resource teaching posts which will be available for allocation to mainstream schools for the next year, either through the General Allocation Model or which are available for individual allocation by the National Council for Special Education.

The fact that the number of special needs assistant and resource teaching posts are being maintained at current levels is a reflection of this Governments commitment to prioritising supports for children with special educational needs, at a time when there is a requirement to make expenditure savings across a range of areas. This commitment to protecting front-line services for children with special educational needs will ensure that the requirements of special needs pupils in mainstream education can continue to be provided for on an ongoing basis, despite overall budgetary pressures.