Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
203. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the terms of reference for the working group charged with developing policy on students who are exceptionally able or gifted; the membership of the working group; if she agrees that parents or guardians of students who are exceptionally able or gifted ought to be represented on the group; when the group will report to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46034/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the internal working group was established following the Chief Inspector's 2016 - 2020 Report that raised concerns about provision for exceptionally able students. It was decided that my Department needed to formulate an overarching policy on supporting students with exceptional ability.
The group consists of representatives from the following sections and organisations;
• Special Education Section
• Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit (CAP)
• The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
• The Department of Education Inspectorate
• The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) (2 Representatives – one primary, one post-primary)
• The National Council For Special Education (NCSE)
• OIDE (Representing JCT and PDST) (2 Representatives – one primary, one post-primary)
The Group has been tasked with, inter alia, the following:
• Scoping out existing supports for students with exceptional abilities
• Examining how other education systems provide for students with exceptional abilities
• Devising guidance for schools
• Reviewing draft guidelines for teachers on meeting the needs of students with exceptional abilities published by the NCCA in 2007.
The group is currently reviewing extensive research from a number of countries to determine best practice in this area. Once this work is completed it is hoped that the Group will be in a position to make recommendations to me on the next steps in the process.
I want to assure the Deputy that prior to the implementation of any new policy my Department engages in extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders including parents representatives.
