Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Richard Bruton
Question:
347
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the plans, if any, he has in relation to the training of teachers and others to provide services for children with high levels of special needs in education; if he will establish a training programme and support centre for such staff; the manner in which expertise from outside the state will be deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13737/00]
I fully recognise the importance of ensuring that teachers who work with pupils with high levels of special education needs are appropriately trained for their task.
Students who attend St. Patrick's College and Mary Immaculate College follow a module on special education of 30 hours duration. A lectureship in special education has recently been allocated to the Church of Ireland College of Education. In addition to providing training in special education to students there, this post will also be used to meet the training needs of second level teachers who work with pupils with special educational needs. Two expert groups on the pre-service training of teachers will report later this year. The training of teachers in special education is among the issues being considered by them. A training programme already exists for those teachers who work full time with pupils with high levels of special educational needs. The diploma in special education course in St. Patrick's College of Education is available to 25 teachers every year. It is a full time post graduate course and has been in existence for over 30 years.
My Department has recently approved a series of new in-service programmes for second-level resource teachers. The aim of the programmes will be to provide substantial theoretical and practical training for these teachers. These programmes will begin in the 2000-01 school year and will be offered by the Church of Ireland College of Education. The training will be provided to a large extent by specialists from within the country. However, it is anticipated that experts from outside the state will be involved in some specific areas.
A range of other in-service supports are provided for the teachers in question.
Although the special education department in St. Patrick's College of Education is not designated as a support centre, it fulfils that role by answering requests for advice and information from teachers, parents and others. The staff also provide a variety of induction and in-career courses for teachers in special education.
My Department is currently considering the question of support services in the special education area generally. This includes the training of staff.
I should also mention that arising from my recent visit to the USA, I have decided to fund ten placements for teachers who work in the area of special needs to spend time and train in innovative educational establishments in the US, studying their practices and assessing the potential for using them in Ireland.
Other professionals who may provide support services to pupils with special educational needs follow a range of courses at third level to equip them for their work.
