Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be allocated to provide MAPA training for staff at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46789/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) provides a range of supports to teachers, parents and students in the area of special educational needs. This includes continuing professional development (CPD) for school principals and teachers, in-school support and advice on evidence informed interventions and information for parents and guardians of children with special educational needs.

Current training available to teaching staff in the area of Special Educational Needs includes School Based Seminars including NCSE designed and delivered Seminars; NCSE Supported Courses such as Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development in Special Educational Needs (Autistic Spectrum Disorders) for Teachers; On-line Courses and e-Learning; NCSE Book Borrowing and College and University Post Graduate Courses in Applied Behavioural Analysis, Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Visual Impairment. The Support Service continues to update current CPD courses and design new CPD courses in response to the needs of schools and teachers.

The Inclusion Support Service also provides school visits, phone support and email support.

As the funding request referred to by the Deputy relates to a particular training course, I have arranged for the NCSE to provide a direct reply to the Deputy.