Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to bring forward the date of allocating SNA resources to schools to March-April as recommended by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31700/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that this week, I announced that 975 additional SNAs will be available for allocation to schools from September 2017 which is a 7.5% increase to meet the demands for the new school year.

A total of 13,990 SNA posts will now be available at a gross annual cost of €458 million. This is more SNAs than we have ever had previously and will ensure that all children who qualify for SNA support can continue to receive access to such support.

In total, the number of SNAs available has increased by over 32% since 2011, when 10,575 posts were available.

The NCSE has advised all schools of their allocations for SNA support for the coming 2017/18 school year. Details of the allocations which have been made to schools have now been published on www.ncse.ie.

Where a school wishes to make an application for SNA support in respect of a child who was not considered as part of this allocation process they may continue to make such applications to the NCSE.

Where a school wishes to appeal the SNA allocation which has been made to they may do so through the NCSE appeal process, details of which are set out at www.ncse.ie.

The method of provision for the additional posts this year has been similar to that for the past six years when decisions were made in late June or early July. This is not a satisfactory approach and we intend that in this year’s estimates, provision will be made for the anticipated extra need in the same way as for other elements of the education system.

In response to a progress report from the NCSE on the comprehensive review it is undertaking of the SNA Scheme, I have requested the National Council for Special Education to establish a working group, comprising relevant stakeholders, to assist in proposing an alternate and improved model for providing care supports so as to provide better outcomes for students with special educational needs who have additional care needs.

The Working Group will commence its work upon its appointment and the work will run in tandem with the completion of the Comprehensive Review of the SNA Scheme. It is intended that the reports of the Working group and of the Review will be completed early in 2018.

In 2017 my Department will invest €1.68 billion in special education, almost one fifth of the entire education budget. This is a 32% increase since 2011.

- The number of Special Classes has increased by 120% with over 600 new special classes opened since 2011. Approximately 1,150 special classes are now in place with 164 new Special Classes to be opened for the coming 2017/18 school year.

- The new model for allocating Resource Teachers to schools has been successfully introduced, with 900 additional teacher allocated from September 2017, bringing the number of Special Education Teaching posts in mainstream primary and post primary schools to over 13,400 for the 2017/2018 school year, to support the model and to ensure that children with special needs can access additional teaching supports.

- over 1,400 teachers in 125 special schools

- Assistive technology/specialised equipment.

- Special school transport arrangements.

- Enhanced capitation grants for special schools and special classes attached to mainstream primary and post primary schools.

- Modification of school buildings.

- Special Arrangements for State Examinations.

ESF Aided Fund for Students with Disabilities at third level.

- Vocational Training for people with disabilities.

- Adult Education – once off projects for disability in education.

The aim of this Government is to continue to use our economic success to ensure that children with special educational needs can be supported to fully participate in schools and fulfil their potential.