Vol. 560 No. 1
344 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation of children with special needs and disabilities in mainstream second level schools; the number of pupils with disabilities and special needs who are attending second level schools; the number of teachers in place to service their needs; the proposals to develop these services; his views on the proposed audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1036/03]
My Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to second level schools to cater for the needs of special needs pupils. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authorities. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupil(s) in question and determined on the advice of the psychological service.
The number of pupils with special needs who are attending mainstream second level schools is not readily available. To date, my Department has allocated in the order of 690 wholetime equivalent teaching posts and over 360 special needs assistants to second level schools for the school year 2002-03 to cater for the needs of students with special needs.
In addition, I am taking steps to ensure that the necessary arrangements are put in place for an efficient and effective system for service delivery. A key development in this regard has been the decision to establish the National Council for Special Education. The council, which will have a local area presence, will play a key role in the development and delivery of services for persons with special needs. It will also have a research and advisory role and will establish expert groups to address specific areas of special needs provision. Such areas would include the question of the future role of the special school sector and how the reservoir of experience, expertise and commitment which the special school sector represents can be better utilised to support the special education system. Arrangements for the establishment of the council are well advanced. A chief executive has recently been appointed to the council and it is intended that it will be vested by the end of March 2003.
I also intend to bring forward legislation, based on the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill, to clarify the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities to an education service and to put in place the necessary framework to deliver the required services. My Department is consulting interested parties on the proposed legislation. My objective would be to secure the passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas before the summer recess. I am confident that the measures I have outlined will ensure that all children with special needs receive the support they require to enable them to gain maximum benefit from the education system.
