Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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345. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special schools that currently have a full-time behavioural therapist; and the details of same. [55536/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Special schools generally cater for children with the most complex needs. Accordingly, these schools have enhanced staffing levels with greatly reduced pupil:teacher and SNA staffing allocations. The provision of training and support for these schools is prioritised including access to training and post graduate programmes tailored to meeting the needs of children with complex needs.

On an ongoing basis, these schools have access to the NCSE advisory support service which advises on children with the most complex needs including behavioural needs.

The Deputy may also be aware of the School Inclusion Model (SIM) which has been developed in collaboration with the Departments of Health; Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the NCSE and the HSE.

The NCSE is currently piloting this new model in 75 schools in the CHO 7 area. As part of this new model NCSE teams have been enhanced to include Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Behaviour Practitioners to support schools build capacity to include children with special educational needs. The evaluation of this pilot will inform to future development of this model of support.