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Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (335, 336, 337, 338, 339)

Paul McGrath

Question:

508 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants presently employed in primary schools, second level schools in the vocational education system and other second level schools. [22205/04]

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Written answers

There are currently 4,745.69 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants at primary level being paid salary on my Department's payroll. To date, my Department has allocated a total of 580.77 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants at post-primary level as follows: VEC schools, 194.12; secondary schools, 224.67; community and comprehensive schools, 161.98.

Paul McGrath

Question:

509 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to the special needs assistants employed in primary schools, the number working in junior classes in those schools. [22206/04]

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The information requested by the Deputy on the number of special needs assistants deployed in junior classes is not readily available.

Paul McGrath

Question:

510 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in light of a recent Labour Relations Commission ruling on the rate of pay to special needs assistants in junior classes in primary schools he will outline the number of assistants who were under-paid; the total amount paid to those assistants in back pay; the average payment to each such assistant; the period for which back money is payable; if this money has been paid yet and the date paid; if not paid, when it is anticipated that payment will be made; if this back money will be paid automatically or if each assistant must make application for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22207/04]

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The rights commissioner recommended that my Department issue payment amounting to 83% of the full rate of salary to a part-time special needs assistant for work which she undertook in an infants class. Arising from the rights commissioner's recommendation, my Department took the decision to pay part-time special needs assistants 83% of the full rate of salary if they are working in an infants class for the full duration of the infant school day. To enable my Department process applications, the school managerial authority must verify that the special needs assistant is working in an infants class for the full duration of the infant school day. As this process is ongoing, I am unable to give the Deputy details of the number of special needs assistants affected at this time.

The effective date for the implementation of this recommendation is 20 December, 2001. The amount of money varies in each case but a special needs assistant working for 23 hours and 20 minutes per week, while on the first point of the current salary scale, receives an additional gross payment of €39 per week. My Department will issue a circular to schools in the near future outlining the details of revised arrangements for the payment of part-time special needs assistants.

Paul McGrath

Question:

511 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the holiday entitlements of special needs assistants; and if these entitlements can vary depending on the type of school in which the person is employed. [22208/04]

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Under the terms of the Sustaining Progress modernisation agenda, special need assistants in primary schools are required to work every school day and to be available to schools for a couple of days at the start and finish of each school term. It is agreed that these days — 12 in total — may be combined at the discretion of school management to be utilised flexibly throughout the year for work appropriate to the grade including training. The holiday arrangements for special needs assistants employed in second level schools are outlined in a circular issued by my Department. A copy of the circular will be forwarded to the Deputy.

Discussions are taking place with unions regarding the leave arrangements for special needs assistants employed in second level schools.

Paul McGrath

Question:

512 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is possible for two special needs assistants, employed by the same VEC working for the same hours with similar responsibilities, to have different rates of pay one employed on a full-time basis and the other on an hourly rate; the reason such diversity can occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22209/04]

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My Department allocates special needs assistant support to vocational education committees to cater for students with special educational needs. The employment of special needs assistants is a matter for the vocational educational committee concerned. Queries regarding the employment and payment of the persons referred to should therefore be addressed to the relevant VEC.

Question No. 513 answered with QuestionNo. 485.
Question No. 514 answered with QuestionNo. 493.
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