Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2014

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

Questions (24)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

24. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 1258 of 17 September 2014, if she will provide further details regarding the manner in which the new model of allocating resources to children with special needs will be developed; when it is expected that the full and comprehensive consultation with stakeholders and education partners, including the parents of special needs children will take place. [37879/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The National Council for Special Education published its Report on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teachers for Students with Special Educational Needs on 18 June 2014.

The report recommends that a new allocation model should be developed, based on a schools educational profile, while providing a baseline allocation to every mainstream school to support inclusion.

My Department is currently collecting information required to develop the proposed new model.

My Department recently invited education partners, stakeholders, and parent representative groups to make written submissions in relation to the NCSE report. 26 submissions have been received to date.

My Department also held a number of consultation meetings on 1st and 3rd October last week, with stakeholders, education partners, and parent representative groups.

The consultation process will be ongoing at each stage of the development of proposals for a new model.