James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address the concerns raised by the principal of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40436/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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).

As you are aware the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) goal is to create a more inclusive environment in pre-schools and falls under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It should be noted that access to AIM supports requires no diagnosis and is based on the child’s needs.

At school level the NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise schools and parents of the various supports available to children with special educational needs and will take into consideration the level of supports provided during the student’s early years.

In this regard it is important to remember that SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and are recruited specifically to assist in the care needs of students with disabilities in an educational context. SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of these students ensuring that they can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

SNA support may be reviewed during the course of a child’s attendance at school and the NCSE will take into account the importance of the requirement to allocate necessary care supports with the right of a child to acquire personal independence skills.

It is open to schools to apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it feels its allocation is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. The NCSE have recently introduced a simplified process for schools to apply for a review of their SNA allocation.

In regard to therapy supports the provision of health-related therapy services, including speech and language therapy occupational therapy services is a matter for the HSE and queries in relation to those services should be directed to the HSE or to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

However, in order to provide as effectively as possible for the needs of students on 20 June last, in conjunction with Minister Foley, I announced the establishment of the Educational Therapy Support Service (ETSS), a nationally available service designed to build the capacity of teachers and other school personnel as relevant.

The ETSS will see the appointment of Behaviour Practitioners in the NCSE on a permanent basis, who will support schools to promote engagement and participation for all students. Their scope of work will be defined by NCSE Relate, a behaviour resource launching later in the year.