Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
1193 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the full requirement in terms of extra facilities, teaching staff or other needs are currently met at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she has proposals in this regard in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1762/05]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well under way on a six classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
Regarding teaching staff, the staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The mainstream staffing for the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and 21 mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 593 pupils on 30 September 2003. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management the enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 586 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule which is expected to be notified to boards of management in February-March 2005.
In relation to teaching supports for pupils with special needs at this school, 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 school currently has the service of seven full-time resource teaching posts and two full-time learning support teaching posts. 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. Some 70 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents.
1194 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the full requirement in terms of extra facilities, teaching staff or other needs are currently met at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she has proposals in this regard in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1808/05]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well under way on a seven classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
Regarding teaching staff, the staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The mainstream staffing for the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and 21 mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 599 pupils on 30 September 2003. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management, the enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 597 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule which is expected to be notified to boards of management in February-March 2005.
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 school currently has the service of four full-time resource teaching posts and two full-time learning support teaching posts.
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. Some 70 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents.
