Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to allocate a nurse to primary schools with students who have complex medical needs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17295/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Provision of nursing support is currently a matter for the HSE.

The Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme – A New School Inclusion Model to Deliver the Right Supports at the Right time to Students with Additional Care Needs was published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on 30 May 2018.  

The Review contains 13 recommendations, one of which is the provision of nursing support for students with complex medical needs. 

On the 27 March 2019, I announced the trialling of the School Inclusion Model – a new model of support for students with special educational and additional care needs. This new research-based package of education and health supports will be piloted and evaluated in the 2019/20 school year.

One of the key features of the School Inclusion Model pilot is a new national nursing service for children with complex medical needs in schools. A cross agency planning group is to be established to develop the scope for the scheme, develop an application procedure for schools and plan for how the service is to be delivered. The new service will complement current provision provided through community based services.