Written Answers Nos 181-200
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which special needs teachers and special needs assistants are adequate in terms of numbers sufficient to meet requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38453/14]
View answerDespite the ongoing requirement to make expenditure savings across a range of areas, expenditure in 2013 supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs was some €1.3bn or approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department.
Provision includes over 11,000 learning support/resource teacher posts, including those provided under the General Allocation model, in mainstream primary and post primary schools providing additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs.
For children for whom mainstream provision is not appropriate, placement may be made in one of the 125 special schools which have approximately 1,000 teachers and approximately 860 special classes and units located around the country.
This year, provision is being made for up to 10,965 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), of whom over 10,900 SNAs have initially been allocated to schools in September. This is an increase of 390 posts on the previous cap of 10,575 posts. This is the highest level of SNA allocation that we have ever had. The policy of the Government is that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.
I want to assure the Deputy of my commitment to continue to provide appropriate high quality resources to schools for the education of children with special educational needs.
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools currently catering for special needs students at primary and second level schools throughout the country; if additional staffing is required; when she expects to be in a position to respond favourably to any such requests from the various school authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38454/14]
View answerThe policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs should be included in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational need require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.
All State funded primary and post primary schools have been allocated additional resources to provide for children with special educational needs enrolled in school. For children for whom mainstream provision is not appropriate, placement may be made in one of the 125 special schools which have approximately 1,000 teachers and approximately 860 special classes and units located around the country.
Primary and Post Primary schools have a permanent allocation of additional teaching supports to provide for children whose educational psychological assessment places them in the high incidence, or less complex, disability category.
Separately, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocates Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) for children with additional care needs, as outlined in Circular 00030/2014 and additional resource teaching hours to schools for children who have been assessed within the low incidence, or more complex, category of special need, as defined by my Department's Circular Sp Ed 02/05. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.
The total number of Resource Teaching posts which the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) may allocate to schools to support children with special educational needs for the 2014/15 school year is presently set at 6,225 WTE posts.
The NCSE are continuing to process applications for Resource Teaching support for the 2014/15 school year, where the necessary supporting documentation was not made available for the 26 March 2014 deadline. Decisions in relation to the remaining applications received by 22 September 2014 are expected to issue to schools in mid October.
To date, the NCSE has allocated over 10,900 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts to schools supporting students with special educational needs for the 2014/2015 school year. As the SNA allocation process is still ongoing, the exact numbers of SNAs and pupils being supported will become clear following the finalisation of enrolments of students in mainstream schools as at 30th September.
Should a school wish to make an application for additional SNA support for a child who was not previously considered for SNA support or who is due to enrol to a school, they may do so to the NCSE.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
It is a matter for schools to monitor and utilise their allocation of additional staffing resources to best support the needs of identified pupils, in accordance with my Department's guidance.
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number and location of special needs classes at primary and second level throughout County Kildare at present; if any augmentation is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38455/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's policy focuses on ensuring that all children with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs and abilities.
A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for establishing special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area.
Details of all of the special classes for children with special educational needs which are attached to mainstream schools are published each year the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. This list details the number of classes which are available on a per county basis.
I can advise that there were 40 special classes attached to primary schools and 9 special classes attached to post primary schools in Co. Kildare for the 2013/14 school year.
SENOs have been working with local schools on a national basis over the past number of months to plan and establish special classes for children with special educational needs who require such placements for 2014/2015. The details of the total classes which will be provided for the 2014/15 school year are currently being finalised by the NCSE and will shortly be published on their website.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Maynooth, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38456/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will probably be aware, a new post-primary school opened to serve the Maynooth area in September of this year. This school, which is under the patronage of the Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board, will cater for 1,000 pupils when fully developed. The school also has an all-Irish Aonad to add to all-Irish post-primary provision in the area.
My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Maynooth area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Leixlip, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38457/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Leixlip area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Celbridge, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38458/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will probably be aware, a new post-primary school is due to open in Celbridge in 2015. The school will cater for 1,000 pupils when fully developed.
My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Celbridge area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Clane, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38459/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Clane area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Kilcock, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38460/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Kilcock area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Johnstownbridge, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38461/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Johnstownbridge area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Broadford, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38462/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Broadford area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Derrinturn, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38463/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Derrinturn area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Carbury, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38464/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Carbury area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Prosperous, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38465/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Prosperous area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Sallins, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38466/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Sallins area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Kilteel, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38467/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Kilteel area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Rathmore, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38468/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Rathmore area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which school place requirements at primary and second level have been identified at Naas, County Kildare; the extent of preparation in hand to meet any shortfall; the timescale for provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38469/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will probably be aware, a new post-primary school is due to open in Naas in 2015. The school cater for 1,000 pupils when fully developed.
My Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes an examination of the Naas area. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the Kildare Wicklow Educational Training Board has adequate resources to meet the educational requirements throughout its catchment area; if she envisages any particular requirements that need to be met in the first instance; the medium to long-term plan in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38471/14]
View answerEducation and training provision in each Education and Training Board (ETB) area is a matter for prioritisation by that ETB in line with its resources.
The 2014 Further Education and Training Services Plan is the first Services plan to be developed for Further Education and Training services provided by the ETBs and the National Programmes supported by SOLAS. The Plan provides information which details, the full range of Further Education and Training provision and budget allocation, funded through SOLAS for each ETB, including Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board. The Plan is available on the SOLAS website www.solas.ie. It is intended that Further Education and Training Services Plans will be published on an annual basis.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his Department continues to have dialogue with the authorities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if provision of extra facilities is contemplated threat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38472/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the school to which he refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding.
The Five Year Construction Plan that was announced in March 2012, outlines the major school projects that are scheduled to commence construction over the duration of the Plan. These have been prioritised on the basis of meeting significant demographic needs. As the school in question has not been identified as meeting demographic demand, it is therefore not possible to indicate when a project for the school can be progressed. This position, which continues to prevail, was conveyed to the school in 2013.
My Department will continue to analyse demographic trends and to monitor enrolments in all areas, to determine the level of additional school provision which may be required into the future and to ensure that this is provided in a timely manner.
The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including the school in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
