Vol. 568 No. 6
237 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants as a ratio to the number of students in primary schools, in terms of full-time special needs assistants, part-time special needs assistants and the overall number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17158/03]
The information in the format requested by the Deputy is not available. Special need assistant posts are allocated by my Department to primary schools where the professionally assessed needs of a child or children involved is such as to require the delivery of such support. There are 4,180 full-time and 1,220 part-time special needs assistants employed in primary schools at present. The estimated number of students at primary level in the 2002-03 school year is 441,000.
238 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students at primary level in receipt of special needs assistance. [17159/03]
The data requested is not readily available. However, if the Deputy has a query about any specific school, I would be happy to provide the information for her.
239 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of full-time special needs assistants and the number of part-time special needs assistants employed in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17160/03]
There are 4,180 full-time and 1,220 part-time special needs assistants in primary schools being paid salary on my Department's payroll.
240 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the salary scales for full-time and part-time special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17161/03]
245 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants on each rung of the salary scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17170/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 245 together.
The rate of pay for special need assistants with effect from the 1 October 2002 is:
|
€ |
|
|
Point 1 |
18,349 |
|
Point 2 |
19,257 |
|
Point 3 |
20,117 |
|
Point 4 |
20,983 |
|
Point 5 |
21,845 |
|
Point 6 |
22,708 |
|
Point 7 |
23,572 |
|
Point 8 |
24,430 |
|
Point 9 |
25,297 |
|
Point 10 |
26,155 |
|
Point 11 |
27,022 |
|
Point 12 |
28,649 |
|
Scale Point |
No. on the Point |
|
1 |
2517 |
|
2 |
1274 |
|
3 |
771 |
|
4 |
555 |
|
5 |
63 |
|
6 |
18 |
|
7 |
74 |
|
8 |
27 |
|
9 |
11 |
|
10 |
8 |
|
11 |
4 |
|
12 |
24 |
|
LSI |
53 |
241 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students at post-primary level in receipt of special needs assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17162/03]
242 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants as a ratio to the number of students in post-primary schools, in terms of full-time special needs assistants, part-time special needs assistants and the overall number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17163/03]
243 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students at post-primary level in receipt of special needs assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17167/03]
244 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of full-time special needs assistants and the number of part-time special needs assistants employed in post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17168/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 to 244, inclusive, together.
My Department allocates resource posts, special needs assistant posts and concessionary teaching hours to second level schools to cater for students with special educational needs. 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) involved and the nature and level of the support provided is determined on the advice of the psychological service. Special needs assistant support is generally made available where the student has special care needs.
A total of 380 wholetime equivalent special needs assistants and approximately 730 wholetime equivalent teaching posts are in place in the second level system to support students with special needs. The overall number of pupils at second level is 340,000.
Precise details of the number of pupils in receipt of special needs assistant support are not readily available. Responsibility for the recruitment and employment of special needs assistants rests with the relevant school authorities. Decisions on whether allocations of special needs assistant support are filled on a full-time of part-time basis are determined by the level of such support made available to the school and the availability of suitable persons to deliver the service. My Department does not have details of the number of individuals recruited by schools to deliver their approved level of special needs assistant support.
Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 240.
