Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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493. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding new services for children with special needs. [38086/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As the Deputy may be aware, approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department – some €1.3 billion – was spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs in 2013/14 which shows that the overall level of funding for special education has been protected, and increased, despite the ongoing severe financial position.

This provides for additional learning and resource teaching support, Special Needs Assistant support, special transport arrangements, building adaptations, enhanced capitation and funding for the purchase of specialised equipment and a range of other supports.

With regard to new policy developments for children with special educational needs, the National Council for Special Education published its Report on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teachers for Students with Special Educational Needs on 18th June 2014.

The report recommends that a new allocation model should be developed, based on a schools educational profile, while providing a baseline allocation to every mainstream school to support inclusion.

My Department is currently collecting information required to develop the proposed new model and to access whether, and from when the model could be implemented.

The overall level of investment being provided will ensure that provision can continue to be made for the educational requirements of children with special educational needs in both mainstream and special schools.