Written answers

Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of extending the July provision to all children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18526/17]

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of extending the July provision to all children with a low incidence disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18527/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to examine the adequacy of current special education access and funding provision.

In addition the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders was published in July 2016.

In developing this policy advice, the NCSE reviewed the Department's July Provision scheme. The NCSE consulted widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research. The Policy advice is available on the NCSEs website www.ncse.ie

The policy advice recommends that relevant stakeholders should discuss the development of a national, day activity scheme that provides a structured, safe, social environment for all students with complex special educational needs for one month of the summer holidays.

My Department has convened an Implementation Group with representatives of the NCSE, NEPS, the Inspectorate and external representatives to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered and that a timetable for implementation is prepared. The work of the Implementation Group is ongoing.

My officials will engage with officials in the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders in regard to implementing the recommendations in relation to July Provision. 

I have no plans to extend the existing July Provision Scheme to all children with Special Education Needs and indeed this was not a recommendation of the NCSE in their policy advice. 

It is not possible to estimate the cost of extending this provision to all children with Special Educational needs. Such an estimate would require analysis of the availability and willingness of schools to provide for this and also the availability of suitably qualified tutors to be available for home based July provision.

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