Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way that the changes in the resources in the National Council for Special Education planned for 2023 will be deployed for the benefit of families. [49763/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is a priority of this government that the national Council for Special Education (NCSE) is properly resourced so that they can respond effectively, compassionately and quickly to the increased need in our education system The Department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.

Continuing to add capacity in schools to support special education needs provision is a key priority. My department is working actively with the NCSE and other key stakeholders on a more refined planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school year. In 2023 for example, we have secured funding which will allow us to open a further 370 special classes, taking the total number of special classes to over 2,900 in 2023.

The Department is also acutely aware of its obligations arising from Article 24 of the UNCRPD and the need to develop an inclusive education system. The Department also recognizes the need to meet increased demands on the NCSE following the reported increase in prevalence rates of children with complex needs. Also of note is the likely additional demand for specialist provision which will arise from changes in the Assessment of Need process

NCSE resourcing was last considered in the context of the Government Memorandum on NCSE re-structuring in 2019. This established a permanent regional structure consisting of ten teams organised into five regions. The NCSE has reviewed its capacity to meet the significant and increasing demands placed upon it. This has been done in the context of the changing requirements on the NCSE and the legitimate and significant concerns being expressed by families and their representatives regarding access to resources special Education Needs Advisors.

The number of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) has remained unchanged for many years, despite exceptional growth in the special education in that time. This has meant that the number of special classes, SNAs, SET teachers and special schools being supported by each SENO has increased exponentially over time.

The increase in the NCSE funding for 2023 will allow for significant expansion of their capacity to enable them to meet the current and future needs of SEN appropriately. My Department and I will be engaging with the CEO of the NCSE to ensure that there is effective planning to allow for the recruitment and deployment of new staff next year in a coherent and efficient manner. In this regard I expect any workforce planning to focus on what will be needed to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and with our parents and children guiding and supporting them on their educational journey.