Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 which is due to commence in January 2022; when the review is likely to be completed; if the review will be carried out as expeditiously as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4603/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As announced in December 2021, I have sought a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, which provides for the education of children aged under 18 years with special educational needs. The EPSEN Act 2004, is now in place for more than 17 years and there have been many significant changes and developments to policy relating to the education of children with special needs in that time.  

The purpose of the review is to ensure that legislation on education for students with additional needs is up-to-date, fully operational, and reflective of the lived experiences of students and families.

Initial steps have been taken by my Department in relation to this important review of legislation. Establishment of a Steering Group and Advisory Group to oversee the process is due to commence in the coming weeks. Open collaboration and consultation will be at the heart of the review and all stakeholders will be invited to engage with the process.

There will be a formal consultation process as early as possible in this review and input at all stages from the Advisory Group, which will include representatives of key stakeholders, including parent and advocacy groups. Details shall be communicated as soon as possible in relation to these various stages of consultation and how submissions can be raised.  It is envisaged that the full review will be completed by early 2023.  

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage increase and monetary increase in the funding for special education per annum over the past decade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4612/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for Government. 

The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants are at unprecedented levels.

The State currently spends in excess of 25% of its annual education and training budget (€9.2 Billion) on making additional provision for children with special educational needs.

This represents an increase of over 60% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.

The main supports this funding provides for are:

Special Needs Assistants

Budget 2021 provided an additional 990 Special Needs Assistants.

This resulted in 18,004 SNAs having been allocated to schools by 31^stDecember 2021

Budget 2022 provides funding for an additional 1,165 SNAs (in 2022) to provide support to children with special educational needs, which will bring the total number of SNAs to 19,169 at the end of December 2022.

Provision for 19,169 SNAs as at 31^stDecember 2022 will represent an increase of 81% since 2011 at which time 10,575 were provided.

Special Education Teachers (SETs)

Budget 2021 provided for an additional 145 special education teachers which brought the total provision to 13,765 in 2021.

Budget 2022 provides for an additional 620 new SET posts in special education.  This new investment is required to meet the needs of students with special educational needs enrolled in mainstream classes; students to be enrolled in new special classes and new special school places and the needs of new and developing schools. 

This will bring the total number of SET in the mainstream school system to 14,385 in 2022

Provision for 14,385 SET’s as at 31^stDecember 2022 will represent an increase of 48% since 2011 at which time 10,575 were provided.

Special Classes

Special Classes to support children with special educational needs.

Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased from 548 to 2,118 for the 2021/2022 school year.

There are now 1,854 special classes for children with Autism in place: 133 Early Intervention, 1,205 primary and 516 post primary autism special classes.

Budget 2022 provided for the creation of 287 additional special classes for the 2022/2023 school year. These additional classes will provide over 1,700 new places in 2022.

This provision for 287 additional Special Classes will bring the total to 2,405 in the 2022/2023 school year.

Special Schools

126 special schools currently providing specialist education for children with special educational needs. 

Two new special schools in Cork and Dublin opened for the 2021/22 school-year.

Budget 2022 provided for an additional 23 teaching posts and 46 SNA posts in special schools which will create an additional 140 class places.

This will provide specialist education to over 8,000 pupils in 2022.