Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the ongoing review of the NCSE is reviewing the need for permanent contracted SNA jobs in schools in the future particularly with the possibility that assessments will not be carried out by SENOs to diagnose medical conditions and needs; and his views on whether there is a need now to allocate permanent SNAs, per an agreed methodology, pupil ratio in schools. [29130/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in 2016 I requested the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to lead a comprehensive review of the SNA scheme to identify and recommend how, in the future, the additional care needs of students, over and above those that could be reasonably be expected to be managed by teaching staff, should be met. The review set out to ensure that the Scheme is achieving the best outcomes possible for children with special educational needs.

The NCSE published the Review on 30 May and the Government has noted the contents of the report.

One of the recommendations in the Review is that a new frontloaded allocation model for Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support be introduced. This would ensure that SNA posts are in school and available immediately to students upon their arrival. A further recommendation is made with regard to baseline allocations for Special School and Special Classes. This new frontloaded model of allocation would also reduce, and in many cases, eliminate the need for professional assessments in order to access resources.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) have no role in the diagnosis of disability.

In response to the Review, I have undertaken to develop proposals for the implementation of the NCSE’s recommendations and to return to Government, following engagement with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Health, with a proposed implementation plan.

Work is underway to assess the costs associated with the implementation of any recommendations that subsequently may be approved by Government.

Work is also underway on the development of a new model for the allocation of resources to schools, as recommended by the NCSE. It is considered likely that the introduction of such a new model will need to be piloted in selected schools in order that the impact and effectiveness of a new model can be evaluated and understood before such a new model is rolled out nationally.

I expect to bring proposals for implementation of the Review’s recommendations to Government in the coming months.