Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare with regard to the educational needs of a child. [41336/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs, including pupils with Specific Learning Disability (SLD) and Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD) in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.  

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is a separate statutory agency, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for the provision of special educational needs supports to schools.  The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.  SENOs are available to assist parents in identifying appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs, including pupils with SLDs and SSLD.

All Primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to cater for children with special educational needs.  Guidelines for schools on the organisation, deployment and use of their special education teachers have been published on my Department’s website, at: . Schools are supported in this regard by the National Educational Psychological Services. 

It is a matter for schools to monitor and utilise their allocation of additional teaching support to best support the needs of identified pupils, in accordance with my Department's guidance.  The teaching time afforded to each individual pupil is decided and managed by schools, taking into account each child's individual learning needs.  

My Department also provides for special schools and special class placements for children with SLD and SSLD where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided. SLD classes have a reduced pupil/teacher ratio of 9:1 and an increased level of capitation grant. The pupils who attend SLD classes have, following psychological assessment, been identified as having a specific learning disability.  The NCSE continues to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas.

Applications from schools meeting the criteria for establishment of SSLD special classes are approved by the NCSE.  The opening of a Speech and Language class is, however, contingent on the Health Service Executive (HSE) being in a position to provide Speech and Language therapy to the students in the class. 

The enrolment of pupils in an SSLD special classes is managed locally by an Admissions & Discharges Committee, comprising the Speech and Language Therapy Manager, Speech and Language Therapist, Class Teacher and Principal.  The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD is set out in my Department's Circular 0038/2007.  A full-time teacher is assigned to each class, and classes operate with a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 7:1.  A minimum number of five eligible pupils is required for a school to retain an SSLD class.  Eligible pupils may spend up to two years in such classes.  An enhanced capitation grant is provided to schools operating special classes for pupils with SSLD.  In general, children who meet the criteria for enrolment in Special Classes for pupils with SSLD are eligible for free transport to the SSLD class nearest to his or her place of residence, subject to the terms of the school transport scheme.

Funding is also available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers and/or software to assist children with special educational needs, including children with SLDs and SSLD, where relevant professionals recommend the equipment as being essential for the provision of education.  Schools apply to the NCSE, through their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) for such support.  SENOs make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required, in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.  All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. 

My Department encourages parents and school authorities to engage locally regarding pupils' education.  Should a parent be dissatisfied with the manner in which supports have been provided to support their child's education they should raise this matter directly with their school Principal or the Board of Management of the school.  Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's present or future educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.