Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding provided in each of the years 2009 to 2016 and to date in 2017 to primary schools and post-primary schools for additional Traveller support, in tabular form. [22752/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in Table B.It should be noted that the Department's policy is to provide additional supports to pupils on the basis of identified need not on the basis that the child is a Traveller.  Since 2013/14 the additional mainstream resources that have gone into the system to the benefit of all children including Traveller children are set out at Table A.

Table A

Table B

Funding for special education provision in 2017 will amount to some €1.68 billion, which is equivalent to approximately 19% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training and represents an increase in spending in this area of 12% over the last two years. This funding provides for a range of supports and services including additional learning and resource teaching support, access to SNA support, special transport arrangements, building adaptations, enhanced capitation in special schools and special classes, specialised equipment, additional teacher training and the services of the National Educational Psychological Service.

There are currently over 12,500 learning support and resource teacher posts in mainstream primary and post primary schools.