Micheál Martin
Question:179 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the progress, if any, which has been made by her departmental committee established to implement the recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee. [19938/96]
Written Answers. - Special Education Review Committee Recommendations.
The process of implementing the recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee is taking place on a planned basis and as available resources permit.
Substantial progress has already been made in improving the level and quality of service across the entire spectrum of special needs. Measures which have already been implemented include a very substantial increase in special capitation rates payable to pupils attending special schools in special classes; a one unit improvement in the pupil teacher ratio for all special schools and classes in the 1995-96 school year; the upgrading of specialised equipment required in special schools and classes; a pilot scheme for the provision of escorts and safety harnesses on certain school transport services to assist pupils with special needs; the counting of pupils enrolled in special classes in ordinary national schools in determining the overall enrolment of the school for staffing purposes; the recruitment of additional psychologists to the school psychological service; the appointment of an additional 241 remedial teachers and 36 resource teachers, bringing the total number of such posts in the primary sector to 1,188 and 36 respectively; and the appointment of an additional 150 child care assistants to special schools, bringing the total number of such posts to 232.
In the current school year, I am continuing this process with the appointment of an additional ten resource teachers. I am also appointing an additional five teachers to the visiting teacher services.
Also in the current year, I have adopted a particular focus on children who suffer from educational disadvantage and have sought to target resources into this area in an effort to break the cycle of disadvantage. As part of this approach, I recently launched a major new initiative aimed at bringing special targeted assistance to children in selected urban and rural areas who suffer serious educational disadvantage.
I am satisfied that the measures which I have outlined and which are in line with the recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee, are contributing to a significant improvement in the level and quality of service available to special needs pupils. It is my intention to continue this process.