Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for increasing special needs resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29402/14]
View answerTuesday, 8 July 2014
Questions (79)
Written answers
In 2013 my Department spent some €1.3 billion supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs. This represents approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department. This Government has continued to protect resources for Special Education and in some areas there have been increases in 2014, despite the ongoing severe financial position continuing to face the country. An initial allocation of over 10,900 Special Needs Assistants have been allocated for the 2014/15 school year and over 11,000 Learning Support and Resource Teachers will be in place in the coming school year. Next year there will also be over 860 Special Classes attached to mainstream schools. More resources than ever before are being provided to ensure that the educational requirements of children with special needs can continue to be met in schools and that as many children as possible can be educated with their peers in mainstream education.