All applications for resource teacher and special needs assistant resources received after 14 February 2003 and by close of business on 31 August 2003 are being examined by a team of inspectors and psychologists on the basis of the supporting professional report(s) and in the context of the resources already available to the school. The schools concerned will be informed of the outcome as early as possible in the current school year. Applications for resources in respect of new entrants have been given priority and, following a review of the supporting documentation submitted, the applicant schools have, where appropriate, been given allocations.
My Department will be engaging in discussions with the education partners with a view to developing a weighted system of allocations for special needs teaching resources with effect from the 2004-05 school year. This would involve an annual allocation being made to schools based on predicted incidence of special educational needs within different size school populations. Such a system would obviate the need for individual applications for resources in respect of individual pupils other than in the most exceptional circumstances. In developing a weighted system, regard will also be had to the level of learning support teachers' caseloads.
The Department will also be engaging in discussions in relation to the allocation and deployment of special needs assistants with a view to ensuring appropriate allocation and effective deployment. The funding for special needs assistants, resource teachers and additional hours of resource teaching is in the region of €200 million for the current year. I am not in a position to say what allocation is to be made for 2004 until the Estimates provisions for that year are finalised.
