Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
48 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to the clearing of the backlog of applications for special educational resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30462/04]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that all applications for resource teaching support received in my Department by the closing date of 30 June 2004 have been processed. Decisions in these cases have issued to the schools concerned. Subsequently, priority was given to applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports for new entrants received after the closing date. Decisions have also issued to schools in these cases.
The position is similar in the case of applications for special needs assistant support. With the exception of very recent cases, all schools which sought such support have had their applications processed and have been notified of the outcome.
My Department is currently considering a number of appeals arising from the above decisions. Responses will issue to the schools concerned as soon as the appeals are processed. The Deputy may be aware that the national council for special education has been established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities as set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order, 2003.
The council has employed a number of special education needs organisers, SENOs, who will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents. Following a period of intensive training, it is intended that the SENOs will process applications for SEN resources.
49 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received the pre-budget 2005 submission of the Association of Secondary School Teachers in Ireland; her views on same, particularly the call for increased investment in special needs at second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30523/04]
View answerI can confirm that I have received the pre-budget 2005 submission from the Association of Secondary School Teachers in Ireland.
I would point out that the level of resources being made available by my Department to support students with special educational needs in the second level system has grown significantly in recent years. In the current school year to date, my Department has allocated approximately 1,360 whole time equivalent teachers and approximately 607 special needs assistants to second level schools and VECs to cater for the special educational needs of students at second level. This represents an increase of approximately 260 resource teacher posts and approximately 140 special needs assistant posts on the previous school year.
I can assure the Deputy that the submission of the ASTI will receive due consideration in the context of the budget for 2005.
