Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the implementation of the front-loading of inclusion support assistant posts; if the recommendation of the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, will be implemented by September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26770/18]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, in September 2016, I requested the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to lead a comprehensive review of the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Scheme, in consultation with other relevant Departments and State Agencies. The Review set out to ensure that the Scheme is achieving the best outcomes possible for children with special educational needs.

The Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme was published by the NCSE on 30 May 2018 and contains 13 recommendations. One of these recommendations is the development of a frontloaded model for allocating supports to schools for children with special educational needs who have additional care needs.

My Department is developing proposals to implement the recommendations of the Review. This will involve substantial engagement with key Departments and agencies as well as consultation with Education and Health Partners, Parent representatives and other stakeholders and developing proposals for early action on developing, on a pilot basis, a new allocation model and a national training programme.

The SNA allocations for September 2018 have already been made as part of the normal applications process. In order to meet the level of assessed demand, I announced on 18 May 2018 the provision of 800 additional Special Needs Assistant posts for allocation to schools for the beginning of the next school year, with a further 140 expected to be allocated over the period September to December 2018. Accordingly there is no prospect of a new model being implemented from September 2018.

Ensuring children with special educational needs are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential is a key priority for this Government. There will be 15,000 SNAs working in our schools by the end of the year, a 42% increase on 2011. My Department's policy is to ensure that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.