I recently announced that I am not proposing to change the way teachers are allocated to schools to support children with Special Educational Needs for the coming school year.
In taking this decision, I have been guided by the advice of the NCSE Working Group report, which recommended sufficient time be allowed for consultation before the new model is implemented.
Through consultations, there was a broad welcome for the proposed new model from Parents, disability groups, schools and stakeholders. However, there has not been sufficient time to address all of the concerns which have been raised in advance of the 2015 school year.
In particular, a robust mechanism for identifying children with complex special educational needs has yet to be finalised.
Similarly it will be important to ensure that the concerns that successful schools continue to receive appropriate levels of support to ensure that their successes can be maintained are addressed.
Work will continue to develop the proposed model and to address concerns identified through consultation.
I have asked my Department to design a pilot of the new model, while consultations will also continue to take place regarding this matter.
As changes are not being introduced to the allocation process for the coming school year, it is not possible to anticipate at this point the potential cost implications of introducing changes, or of the potential cost implications of adjusting the allocations process in the future.
