Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if home school liaison officers will be reintroduced in schools, in particular in schools for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36609/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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A key priority for this government is ensuring that children with special educational needs are supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

In 2018, almost €1.8 billion will be invested in Special Education, nearly one fifth of the overall Education budget, and up 43% since 2011.

All students with learning difficulties have access to additional teaching support in school. 13,400 Special Education teaching posts are available for allocation to mainstream primary and post primary schools, an increase of over 37% since 2011.

Where children have additional care needs, Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) may be allocated to schools. The SNA scheme is designed to provide recognised schools with additional adult support staff to cater for the care needs of pupils with disabilities in an educational context. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014. 

By the end of this year, there will be a total of 15,000 Special Needs Assistants working in our schools, a 42% increase since 2011.

Other supports available to schools include:

- Over 1,300 special classes. The number of special classes has risen by 756 since 2011, including 293 new classes in the past two years. 

- 124 special schools providing specialist education for approximately 7,500 pupils annually.

- Special school transport arrangements.

- An Assistive Technology scheme to provide specialist equipment.

- 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.

The range of investment in special education provision by my Department ensures that all pupils and students with special educational needs can access and participate in education. 

The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme is a school-based intervention provided to DEIS schools to address the needs of pupils/families in disadvantaged areas through acknowledging and developing the role of the parent as prime educator. My Department has no plans at present to extend this Scheme beyond DEIS Schools.