Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio in Schools for Disabled.

Richard Bruton

Question:

8 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education whether the differential in pupil/teacher ratio between schools for persons with a disability, and similar schools for the able-bodied, have been based on recent analysis of the time required for individual tuition of the pupils concerned; and, if not, if he will consider commissioning such analysis so that schools catering for persons with a disability could receive an improvement in the intensity of resources available to them.

Mr. S. Brennan

The method of allocation of additional resources for pupils with disabilities is determined from time to time by my Department following advice from the special education inspectorate and in the light of the resources available.

The provision of additional resources is one of the issues at present being addressed by the Special Education Review Committee and I will be giving careful consideration to the committee's recommendations in this regard.

Mr. McCormack

What does the Minister ster consider to be a desirable pupil-teacher ratio in schools catering for children with a disability? Is this ratio being achieved? What analysis is being carried out to see if it is working properly in such schools?

Mr. S. Brennan

I do not accept that there is an ideal pupil-teacher ratio for the handicapped. There are eight different specialist clinical grades and the children are educated in special schools, in special classes in ordinary schools and in fully integrated classrooms. There are three avenues to cater for the handicapped in the educational system. However, there are eight different clinical grades.

The pupil-teacher ratio in special schools for the visually impaired is 10:1; the pupil-teacher ratio in special schools for the severely emotionally disturbed is 8:1 and the pupil-teacher ratio in special classes for the moderately handicapped is 10:1. The pupil-teacher ratio ranges from 8:1 up to 15:1 over the eight categories. I do not think one can apply an ideal pupil-teacher ratio but, obviously, the ideal is the lowest ratio one can possibly achieve.

Clearly, and rightly so, the pupil-teacher ratio is better than the pupil-teacher ratio in ordinary schools and we hope to make more progress on that.

Mr. McCormack

I accept that the pupil-teacher ratio ranges from 8:1 to 15:1. Has an analysis been carried out on the pupil-teacher ratio to see if it is working satisfactorily in the interests of the categories of pupils in those schools?

Mr. S. Brennan

Over many years there has been regular analysis of the pupil-teacher ratio. Review bodies and groups also made regular reports. Another review body, under the chairmanship of the former Secretary of the Department, Mr. Declan Brennan, is looking at these questions.

In addition to the work of review bodies, the inspectorate of special schools are particularly well qualified to analyse the needs of pupils. We also have the input of the remedial teaching structure. There is plenty of input of data to help us make the policy decisions.

Mr. McCormack

Will the Minister refer to the Páipéar Glas?

Mr. Browne

Carlow-Kilkenny): Is there a policy on the appointment of personal assistants in special schools? Sometimes the children who should attend these schools almost need full-time care, and would need assistance to walk along the corridor or to sit in a chair. I know of a child who could not go to school because there was no one to mind him. Have the Department a policy on the number of personal assistants appointed in special schools?

Mr. S. Brennan

I would like to make more progress in this area. We need more non-professional staff, particularly in the special schools, and I will make every effort to improve the situation in these schools.