Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2016
177. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills why he has cut services at a school (details supplied) attended by 155 special needs students; his plans to address these cuts; if the school is facing closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14387/16]
View answer179. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills why he cut staff numbers at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14389/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 179 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for allocating teaching staff and special needs assistant support to Special Schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, under my Department's criteria for such support.
The NCSE will advise all special schools of their allocations for teaching staff and SNA support for 2016/17 before the end of the current school year.
I understand that services provided by St John of God Community Services relating to adult services are due to change within St John of God Community Services. Supports allocated by the NCSE will not be affected by the changes being implemented by St John of God Community Services.
The Department of Health and Children/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years. My Department may allocate funding towards an educational component of such provision so that students can continue to participate in educational programmes through further adult educational programmes or in adult settings.
Vocational training is provided through a network of ETB funded Specialist Training Providers (STPs), specifically for learners who have physical, intellectual, mental health or sensory disabilities. Learners on these programmes have the opportunity to participate in training ranging from level 3 to 5 on the NFQ.
Funding is also provided through the co-operation hours scheme operated by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) where the local service provider makes application to the relevant ETB for tuition hours. Funding is also provided to the National Learning Network and to Vocational Training Centres for this purpose.
Young adults with disabilities are eligible to access SOLAS mainstream services. SOLAS also contracts Specialist Training Providers, in locations country-wide, to deliver training courses to people with disabilities who require more intensive support than would be available in non-specialist training provision. Specialist training offers additional supports to learners which include individualised training and progression plans, literacy and numeracy support, longer training duration, adapted equipment, transport arrangements, enhanced programme content and enhanced trainer/learner ratio.
As adult disability services are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health, the Deputy should address this matter directly to him.
