Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet special needs teaching requirements in primary and secondary level schools in County Kildare in 2016; his proposals for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11124/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.

A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including Resource Teaching allocations, the establishment of special classes and special schools in various geographical areas as required, including Co. Kildare. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

Approximately 17% of the entire budget of my Department – some €1.4 billion – is being spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs in Schools, including schools in Co. Kildare. The provision now includes over 11,800 Learning Support/ Resource Teachers, an increase of over 2,200 since 2011; 12,040 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), an increase of 1,465 since 2011: provision for over 1,000 Special Classes attached to mainstream schools, an increase of over 460; and some 1,100 teachers in 125 Special Schools at reduced pupil teacher ratios.

The overall level of investment being provided will ensure that provision can continue to be made to provide for the educational requirements of children with special educational needs, enrolled in all schools, to ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to have access to educational facilities in line with their requirements, for the current school year and in future school years.