Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

39 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing and increasing needs at both primary and second level schools regarding the provision of psychologists, resource and remedial teachers or other special needs teachers or assistants; his views on whether, notwithstanding improvements in this area, the requirements have dramatically increased and schools at all levels are experiencing difficulty; if he will examine in detail the precise requirements regarding such needs throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28244/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I am fully aware of the ongoing need to continue the development of our special education services. The present Government has been responsible for an unprecedented level of development in the special education area, including the areas to which the Deputy refers.

The national educational psychological service, NEPS, which was established in 1999, has responsibility for assessment services. At the time of its establishment, the development plan for the NEPS envisaged that it would achieve nationwide coverage by the end of 2004. However, in July of this year the Government approved the accelerated development of the NEPS in order that it will achieve nationwide coverage by the end of next year, two years ahead of schedule. This decision was taken in order to facilitate more ready access to assessment services by children with special needs. In addition, I have made £1.25 million available to the NEPS in the current year to facilitate the engagement of private educational psychologists to conduct assessments where the NEPS is not in a position to deliver such services on a timely basis.

Since September 1999 the learning support teacher, remedial, service has been extended to every first and second level school in the country with a pupil-teacher ratio of 10:1 or more. At present, there are 1,485 such teachers in place in primary schools and a further 560 in place at second level. In October 1998 the Government took the unprecedented decision that all children with special needs in primary schools should have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs irrespective of their level of need or location. As a result of this decision the number of resource teachers in place in the primary sector has been increased from 104 to approximately 1,000. The number of special needs assistants has been increased from less than 300 to more than 2,500 over the same period. At second level, there are currently 380 resource teachers and 135 special needs assistants in place.

Since 1999, all special schools and special classes dedicated to children with disabilities have been operating at the special reduced pupil-teacher ratios recommended by the special education review committee. In addition to the substantial increase in support services outlined above, the Government has approved my proposals for the establishment of a national council for special education. The council will be charged with providing research, expert advice and carrying out certain operational functions in relation to services for children with disabilities. When established, the national council for special education will play an important role in the future development and delivery of special education services. The measures outlined above provide concrete evidence of my commitment to ensuring the ongoing development of a special education service which is responsive to the needs of all who require it.