I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Report on the Education of Students with Challenging Behaviour arising from Severe Emotional Disturbance or Behavioural Disorder did not find that a reduction in guidance counselling posts in second level schools or the loss of middle management positions has damaged the promotion of positive behaviour in classrooms, nor does the report make reference to these specific issues.
The report makes a number of recommendations as to how education can in the future best be provided for children with emotional and behavioural disorders, while also ensuring minimal disruption for other pupils in schools.
My Department will consider the recommendations of this report, including any resource, policy, and staffing implications, and will prepare a plan for the appropriate implementation of these recommendations in the context of available resources.
In the interim, schools will continue to be supported through the provision of additional resource teaching and special needs assistant support.
Schools may also seek advice from their local National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist, from their NCSE Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Services, as to how children with behavioural needs can best be supported in schools.
My Department also published earlier this year new Guidelines for Schools on Supporting Students with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social difficulties, which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
