Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
119. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any analysis has been undertaken into the cumulative effect of cutbacks in learning supports at primary level for children with special needs, Traveller supports and support for children for whom English is not their first language in terms of the impact on teachers' ability to manage the class and deliver a level of education that meets the needs of all. [50115/13]
View answerThe overall level of learning support and resource teaching for pupils with special educational needs in primary schools have not been cut. This year the number of resource teaching posts allocated to schools by the NCSE increased from 5,265 posts to over 5,700 posts. In addition, there are also over 5,000 permanent learning support posts allocated across the school system, including over 4,100 posts allocated to Primary schools under the General Allocation Model. With effect from the 2012/13 school year, the General Allocation Model for all schools was updated to incorporate resources available for learning support and language support. The GAM now also includes provision for Traveller pupils who had previously been supported by Resource Teacher for Traveller posts.
There has not been a specific analysis of the cumulative effect of changes to these provisions in recent years. Schools are responsible for planning education programmes for individual children and for monitoring their progress. In addition, my Department's Inspectorate evaluates and provides advice to schools through Whole School Evaluation (WSE) and other inspection processes.
