Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014
498. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding a reduction in resource hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49073/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published its Report on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teachers for Students with Special Educational Needs on 18th June 2014.
The NCSE, consulted widely with education partners, representatives of the disability sector, stakeholders and parent representative groups, during the course of the development of this policy advice. 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 and considering information which will be required to develop the proposed new model. Following consideration of this data, my Department will also consider whether, and from what date a new model might be implemented. I also wish to advise the Deputy that following publication of the working group report, my Department invited education partners, stakeholders, and parent representative groups to make written submissions in relation to the NCSE report. 27 written submissions have been received to date, from interested parties.
My Department also held a number of consultation meetings on 1st and 3rd October last with stakeholders, education partners, and parent representative groups.
Consultation has been a key feature of the development of this policy advice to date and I can confirm that consultation will continue to take place at each stage of the development of proposals for any new model.
