Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 December 2015
22. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied regarding her ability to meet the full requirements of special needs teachers and special needs assistants at primary and secondary level; the steps she is taking to address emerging needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43871/15]
View answerThis year 11,940 SNAs are available for allocation to primary and secondary schools, which is an increase of 13% in the number of posts available since 2011.
The NCSE has allocated 6832 Resource teaching posts to mainstream schools this year, which is an increase of 29% since 2011.
In addition, over 150 new Special Classes have been opened for the 2015/16 school year, which means there are now over 1,000 special classes in place.
I welcome the fact, that even in the constrained economic circumstances we have faced in recent years, we have been able to continue to meet the needs of children with special educational needs attending our schools and to increase provision to address emerging needs in this area.
