Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013
207. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of his decision to maintain the level of resource hours to those allocated in 2012/2013 the reason a college (details supplied) in Dublin 1 is receiving less resource hours for the new academic year starting in September 2013. [33072/13]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the allocation of additional Resource Teaching support for the school in question for the 2013/14 school year.
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, including the allocation of resource teaching support to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.
All schools were advised to apply to the NCSE for resource teaching and SNA support for the 2013/14 school year by 15th March 2013 and the NCSE has published details of Resource Teaching allocations for all schools on its website www.ncse.ie, based on the number of valid applications received.
I have authorised the NCSE to restore the level of resource teaching allocations which can be provided for students with special educational needs to 2012/13 levels. It is important to note, however, that schools are allocated resource teaching support in respect of pupils enrolled in the school who meet the criteria for the allocation of additional teaching support. A school's resource teaching allocation is subject to change over time therefore as pupils with special educational needs enrol or leave a school. The NCSE can only allocate resources in respect of pupils enrolled in school and for whom applications meet the criteria for the allocation of additional support.
It is open to schools to contact their SENO to discuss their application for resource teaching support using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
