Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the decision to withdraw five hours of special education teaching from a school (details supplied); the basis for this withdrawal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25699/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The Special Education Teaching (SET) Allocation model seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account as much evidence as possible in respect of individual schools and evidence in respect of the best possible use of resources.

The NCSE have confirmed that the SET allocation for the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2024/25 school year is 42.5 hours. This allocation has been in place since the 2022/23 school year and has not been reduced for the coming school year.

My department acknowledges that every school is different, and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method of allocating hours. Therefore schools have the ability to apply for a review of their allocation.

This school requested a review from the NCSE in respect of its allocation for 2024/25 school year and the NCSE advised the school, that at present, there remains no change to their allocation. In this notification the NCSE letter informed the school of the NCSE's adviser support service which is available to support schools in their capacity to meet the needs of students with special educational needs.