Finian McGrath
Question:104. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding resource hours for children with specific language impairment (details supplied). [26195/13]
View answerWednesday, 29 May 2013
Questions (104)
Written answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides an extensive range of supports for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD) including provision for the establishment of special classes for Specific Speech and Language Disorder in primary schools. Applications to establish such classes are considered by the school's assigned Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) and those meeting the criteria for establishment are approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The NCSE have informed my officials that there are 64 such classes established at Primary level throughout the country, and that 9 of these classes are in the Dublin area. Local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) will be able to provide advice on the location of the nearest special classes and the criteria for admission. Contact details for SENOs are available at www.ncse.ie.
Where a special class has been established, a full-time teacher is assigned to each class, and classes operate with a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 7:1. Speech and language therapy services are provided to these classes by the Health Service Executive (HSE). An enhanced capitation grant is provided to schools operating special classes for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder. The current rate is €857 per pupil. Pupils who are not enrolled in a special class for SSLD and who meet the criteria for Specific Speech and Language Disorder, as outlined in my Department's Circular 0038/2007, may qualify for additional teaching support where he/she is enrolled in mainstream school. Applications for such support may be made to the NCSE through the local SENO.
The NCSE have indicated to my officials that there are approximately 4932 pupils at primary level and 912 pupils at post primary level for whom resource teaching hours were allocated to schools under this category for the current academic year. Pupils with mild speech and language difficulties may qualify for supplementary teaching support from within the school's general allocation of learning support/teaching support. All schools were advised to apply to the NCSE for resource teaching support for the 2013/14 school year by 15th March 2013. The NCSE are currently processing these applications and schools will be notified by SENOs of their resource teaching allocations for 2013/14 in advance of the coming school year, based on the number of valid applications received. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.