Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
1191 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to meet the special needs or other teaching requirements for all primary and second level schools throughout County Kildare in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1760/05]
View answerSignificant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level in recent years. The ratio has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in the 2003-04 school year. Arising from these improvements, class sizes have reduced in the same period. I am committed to reducing class sizes still further. This, however, can only be done on a phased basis and the priority will be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas and junior classes.
Regarding teaching supports for pupils with special needs, the Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently developed a new system for the allocation of teaching support in all primary schools. The proposed new system for resource teacher allocation involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence special educational needs — borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability — and those with learning support needs, i.e. functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed new model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly I will be reviewing the proposal to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, before it is implemented in September 2005. In addition, all schools may continue to apply for separate specific allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence disabilities.
The NCSE which was established recently and which has become operational from 1 January 2005 will be responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, based on the assessed needs of pupils in primary schools generally, including County Kildare. Some 70 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents.
I can confirm also that the following special needs provision at primary level in County Kildare has been sanctioned by my Department to cater for the special educational needs, SEN, of pupils: nine special classes for pupils with autism at a pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1; six special classes for pupils with mild general learning disabilities at a pupil-teacher ratio of 11:1; and one special class for pupils with moderate general learning disabilities at a pupil-teacher ratio of 8:1. In addition to these special classes, there are three special schools in operation in the Kildare area catering for approximately 157 pupils with special needs with a pupil-teacher ratio ranging from 6:1 to 11:1.
My Department also provides funding for the Saplings project, a facility sanctioned on a pilot basis which uses applied behavioural analysis methodologies for children with autism. There are approximately 30 children enrolled in the facility.
With regard to post-primary education, teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its timetable and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. Apart from meeting the requirements in relation to the provision of the "core subjects", the curriculum offered in individual second level schools is a matter for the authorities of the school concerned having regard to its approved teacher allocation.
My Department allocates resource teacher support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and VECs to cater for students with special educational needs. The nature and level of support provided in each case is based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual student.
