Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2014
45. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 358 to 362 inclusive, the nature of the support that is provided by the special education support service to teachers; and if he will provide a list of the various types of supports provided to teachers by the SESS. [17037/14]
View answer46. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 358 to 362, inclusive, the manner in which teachers are made aware of the nature of supports available to them through the special education support service. [17039/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
My Department provides for a comprehensive system of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in the area of special educational needs. Central to this is the Special Education Support Service (SESS) whose brief is to enhance the quality of learning and teaching of students with special educational needs through the provision of CPD and support for teachers in mainstream schools, primary and post-primary special schools, and special classes. The focus of this support is on helping schools to meet the diverse and unique learning needs of students. Strong emphasis is placed on individual learning styles, the assessment of students' unique learning needs, and on the individualised planning of instruction to meet those needs.
Teachers can contact SESS directly or can access information on an ongoing basis on the SESS website which includes a comprehensive calendar of events. Support may take the form of providing information and advice by telephone or email, providing access to a seminar or course, in-school support or the provision of funding through the SESS support scheme, details of which can be accessed on the website at www.sess.ie.
