Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013
88. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of the education and skills budget which is allocated to special needs education per annum each year respectively since 2010; if the total allocation was spent each year; if he will provide a breakdown of expenditure on home tuition, special needs assistants, special schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4766/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students. Approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department – some €1.3 billion – was provided to support children with Special Educational Needs in 2012. My Departments spend in 2011, was an equivalent percentage of the overall spend, and was also €1.3bn on special needs provision. The equivalent spend in 2010 was €1.2bn. It is expected that expenditure in 2013 will be in line with that provided in 2012 and shows that despite the current economic difficulties, the overall level of funding for special education has been retained.
The approximate breakdown of the spend between the special needs assistant scheme and the home tuition scheme during 2012 was in the region of €9.5m for Home Tuition support and €355m on special needs assistants respectively. Given the different supports provided in special schools depending on the disability categorisations of the pupils attending those schools it is difficult to estimate a definitive average cost per pupil of pupils attending special schools. The approximate cost per pupil attending Special Schools in respect of teaching, Special Needs Assistant and capitation costs is €22,185 per pupil per annum. Based on a pupil population of approximately 7,000, this gives an estimated annual cost of €155m, of which approximately €60m relates to SNA support.
Additional costs relating to school buildings, transport, the July Programme, the National Educational Psychological Society (Neps) the Special Education Support Service (SESS) and assistive technology support also arise and are not included in this figure. The bulk of spending on special educational needs provides for: 10,575 whole time equivalent (wte) Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts are being provided for primary, post-primary and special schools for the current school year in order to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities. Approximately 9,950 learning support/resource teacher posts, including those provided under the General Allocation Model, are also being provided in primary & post primary schools in order to provide additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs.
Over 1,100 teachers are also being provided for in special schools providing teaching to pupils with various disabilities at much reduced pupil: teacher ratios, for example the autism PTR is 6:1 and the moderate general learning disability PTR is 8:1. Enhanced levels of school capitation are payable to most special schools and special classes and special School Transport arrangements for pupils with disabilities are provided at a cost of over €60m per year. Approximately €1.3m is also provided annually to schools for assistive technology support. Early educational intervention is provided for children with autism from 2½ years of age. There are now 76 early intervention classes for children with autism attached to mainstream schools that are funded by the Department. Funding is also provided through the home tuition programme for children with autism who are unable to access placement in an early intervention class. An extended school year is also currently available for pupils who have either a severe/profound general learning disability or who have autism.
The continued commitment of this Government to special education provision, at a time when savings are being required across a range of expenditure areas has ensured that children with special educational needs can continue to have access to educational facilities in line with their requirements. The level of investment being provided will ensure that provision can continue to be made to provide for the educational requirements of children with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools this year.
