Written answers

Wednesday, 19 May 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will meet with behaviour analysts working in special schools as per the recommendation of the Labour Court of December 2019 to address issues with their employment agreements which are due to expire in seven weeks; if permanent positions will be secured for them in order to maintain and continue their work supporting the education in special schools of children with autism and complex special education needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26855/21]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department previously funded 13 centres through an ABA pilot scheme for the period 1999-2011.

All of these centres applied for and were granted recognition as special schools for children with autism and now form part of the network of special schools. A transitional agreement was put in place between the Department and Patrons of these schools to manage this process.

As part of the transitional agreement my Department provides grant funding to these schools to engage behaviour practitioners. This arrangement has been extended for the forthcoming school year.

The post holders in question are privately employed/engaged and retained under contract by the special schools concerned and do not have a contractual relationship with my Department. For this reason my Department was not party to the Labour Court proceedings referenced by the Deputy.

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to encourage schools that will not be taking part in the 2021 summer provision scheme to do so; if children who attend schools not taking part in the scheme can be accommodated elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26896/21]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government has approved the provision of significantly expanded summer education programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a Covid-19 pandemic response measure, for summer 2021.

This is an incredibly important Government decision, which ensures that for first time all primary and post primary schools have the opportunity to provide summer programmes for students with complex needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The total funding available to provide the programme is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.

The programmes for mainstream students in primary and post-primary schools are new programmes for 2021, building upon previous summer programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those in provided in DEIS schools last year.

Enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage schools to offer the programme, including measures to reduce the administrative burden, provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes, earlier payment of school staff and provision to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer to work on the programme.

The programme’s aims are to support students to re-engage with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they can move on to their planned educational placement next September along with their peers.

A home-based summer programme will continue to be available for students with complex needs where their schools are not providing a school based programme.

The programmes were developed following extensive engagement with education and disability stakeholders. My Department is now working to ensure the necessary supports, guidance and information is made available to both schools and families.

I encourage the school communities to take full advantage of this opportunity and offer this valuable programme to their students.

Further details on the schemes and how schools can apply will be available this week atgov.ie/summerprovision.

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