Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2013

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Questions (201)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

201. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that his Department addresses any issue with regard to the clustering of schools for learning support hours, that in cases where schools were unable to reach agreement locally on clusters that his Department adopt a policy ensuring that schools with the higher number of hours would be assigned as base teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11209/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The staffing arrangements for the 2013/14 school year are set out in Circular 0013/2013 which is available on the Department website. Schools with hours available for clustering have until 15 March, 2013 to enter into a cluster arrangement to achieve a full-time post through sharing arrangements with other neighbouring school(s). Following the school led process for clustering GAM/EAL hours a Department led clustering process will be initiated after 15 March, 2013 where appropriate with any remaining hours in schools that have not been clustered.