Vol. 562 No. 2
180 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the actions that his Department is taking or intends to take as part of the activities and initiatives surrounding the European Year of People with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5891/03]
In this year of the disabled, I am glad to outline the substantial commitments being made by my Department in the area of special needs. I am committed to continuing to build on the unprecedented development of special education services, which has taken place in recent years. This commitment is reflected in the fact that the number of resource teachers in the primary system will have grown from approximately 100 at the end of 1998 to a current figure of approximately 2,300, and the number is growing in response to demand; the number of special needs assistants in the system will have grown from approximately 300 at the end of 1998 to a current level of approximately 5,100 between full-time and part-time posts, which is also growing in response to demand; in excess of 500 teachers have been deployed to support special dedicated classes attached to ordinary primary schools; in excess of 1,000 teachers are in place in 108 special schools dedicated to children with special needs; approximately €30 million is being spent annually on the special school transport service and a further €4.4 million on the special escort service for children with disabilities; the allocation for part-time tuition services for children with special needs is being increased from €12 million in 2002 to €19 million in 2003; the funding allocation for special equipment is being increased from €1.6 million in 2002 to €2.26 million in 2003; and funding for the salaries of special needs assistants is being increased from €68 million in 2002 to €100 million in 2003. These figures represent real and substantial improvements in special education services and provide concrete evidence of the Government's commitment to the ongoing development of these services.
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 particular 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 now 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 has consulted 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 the measures which 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, particularly in this year of the disabled.
