Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004
445 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to implement a structured transition programme in cases in which special needs entitlements of students transfer when they progress from primary to second level school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26827/04]
View answerWhere pupils with special educational needs enrol in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply to my Department for additional teaching and-or special needs assistant support for these pupils.
My Department allocates additional teaching support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and vocational educational committees to cater for pupils with special educational needs. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupils involved and having regard to a range of factors including the overall resources available to the school.
The level of resources being made available to support students with special educational needs in the second level system has grown significantly in recent years. In the current school year, approximately 1,350 whole-time equivalent teachers and approximately 634 special needs assistants have been allocated to second level schools to cater for students with special educational needs.
The precise model of provision made available will depend on the assessed needs of the individual pupils involved. Some students are capable of attending ordinary classes on an integrated basis with resource teacher and-or special needs assistant support. In other cases, placement in special dedicated classes or units attached to the school may be the more appropriate response. Such special classes operate at significantly reduced pupil-teacher ratios. My Department also supports arrangements whereby students attached to these special classes are facilitated in attending ordinary subject classes on an integrated basis wherever possible.
In addition to the measures I have outlined, I am confident that the advent of the National Council for Special Education will prove of major benefit in ensuring that all children with special educational needs receive the support they require when and where they require it.
