Wednesday, 30 Jan 2013

Written Answers Nos. 87-93

Early Start Programme

Questions (87)

Finian McGrath

Question:

87. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will not cut the early start programme (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [4729/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be pleased to hear that, currently, there are no cuts planned for the Early Start Programme he is referring to in Dublin 17.

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Questions (88)

David Stanton

Question:

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]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The 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.

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Questions (89)

David Stanton

Question:

89. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an independent audit has been carried out of expenditure on special needs education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4767/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that all of the annual expenditure on special educational needs is subject to monitoring and review by my Department and/or agencies under its aegis. All expenditure is also subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor Generals Office, while Departmental spending is examined independently each year by the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee.

Special Educational Needs Data

Questions (90)

David Stanton

Question:

90. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with special educational needs in primary and secondary schools; the percentage of school children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4768/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. In relation to the number of pupils with intellectual disability who are enrolled in primary and post primary schools, I wish to advise the Deputy that all mainstream primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model (GAM) to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs, including mild and borderline mild general learning difficulties. It is a matter for school authorities to determine how these hours are utilised to support eligible pupils. My Department therefore does not hold details of the number of pupils being supported through this mechanism. It is therefore not possible to identify the total numbers of pupils enrolled in mainstream schools who have some form of intellectual disability.

I can advise the Deputy that the NCSE developed estimates on the prevalence of special educational needs as part of its process to advise the Minister on the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN), Act 2004. The Council estimated at that time that up to 18% of the school going population may have a special educational need, as defined under the EPSEN Act, while a more recent NCSE Report: A Study of the Prevalence of Special Educational Needs (2011) estimates that this figure may be even higher that 18% of the pupil population.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (91)

David Stanton

Question:

91. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether all children with special educational needs are being adequately accommodated by the current educational options of home tuition, special schools and special needs supports in mainstream schools; if his attention has been drawn to any children who have withdrawn from the education system as a result of their special educational needs not being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4769/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides for a continuum of special educational provision to be made available for children with special educational needs, so that regardless of the level of need of the child, educational provision can be made for them. My Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education. Some children may be fully integrated into mainstream schools without additional teaching or care supports. Others are able to attend mainstream schools but need additional teaching and/or care assistance. In respect of children who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided. Provision is therefore made for children across the continuum of need. Where children are unable to attend school for a period of time due to medical reasons, or where no school placement is available for a child, home tuition may be provided for them in order to provide for compensatory education on an interim basis.

The National Council for Special Education can also assist parents to identify school placements which can then be resourced to support children with special educational needs. Given the range of provision which is available, I am satisfied that all children who wish to avail of state provided education can be accommodated within the current educational system.

In the event of a child being refused enrolment to a school, or having been suspended or expelled from a school, parents may appeal this decision to my Department under Section 29 of the Education Act.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (92)

David Stanton

Question:

92. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received proposals from parents of children with special needs or disability organisations or groups regarding possible alternative models of education for children with special needs; if he is considering any alterations to the current special education options as a result which could improve cost effectiveness and meet individual children's needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4770/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a formal role under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 to advise me as Minister in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities. The NCSE have been asked to provide comprehensive policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs. This advice will guide the preparation of a plan on how aspects of EPSEN can be implemented, including the prioritising of access to children with special needs to an individual education plan.

I can advise that this advice will consider:

- the identification and assessment of children with special needs

- the nature of supports provided for children

- the way in which supports are allocated to schools and

- how these supports are configured.

The NCSE has advised my Department that representative groups including parent representatives have been consulted as part of the development of this policy advice. These representative groups also participate on the NCSE Consultative Forum, which meets regularly to consider policy matters relating to the provision of services for children with special educational needs. The advice from the NCSE is expected in the coming months. It is my intention that the significant resources to support children with Special Educational Needs are deployed to ensure the best possible outcomes for students. The advice will be a key input into achieving this goal.

Summer Works Scheme Administration

Questions (93)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

93. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to restore the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4776/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In view of the over-riding objective of ensuring that every child has access to a physical school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The Five Year school building programme is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In order therefore to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation, it is not possible for me to advance with a summer works programme for the foreseeable future.