Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2015
126. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific steps that she is taking to enhance supports for children with a learning disability within the education system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15323/15]
View answerExpenditure supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs will amount to over €1.37bn in 2015, which is equivalent to approximately 15% of the overall allocation for education and training. As part of Budget 2015, an additional 365 Special Needs Assistant posts is being provided in 2015, as well as an additional 480 Resource Teachers, taking into account increased demand and demographic growth and to ensure that children can continue to have access to additional supports in school. In addition, over 130 new Special Classes have been established for the 2014/15 school year.
The NCSE continues to plan and coordinate the provision of education and support services to ensure that the educational requirements of children with special needs can continue to be met in all areas. A new Inclusion Support Service is also being established within the NCSE, to assist schools in supporting children with special educational needs. In addition, my Department is developing a new resource teaching allocation model for schools and a pilot of the new model will be trialled in the next school year.
