Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
347. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the implementation of the front-loading of inclusion support assistant posts, a recommendation from the National Council for Special Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1075/19]
View answerThe Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Scheme which set out to ensure that the Scheme is achieving the best outcomes possible for children with special educational needs was published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in May 2018.
One of the recommendations is in regard to front-loading of support and another recommends using the title 'Inclusion Support Assistant' to better reflect the positive focus of the role.
In response to the Review, I have undertaken to develop proposals for the implementation of the NCSE's recommendations and to return to Government following engagement with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Health, with a proposed implementation plan to include governance and accountability framework and detailed costings of any recommendations that subsequently may be approved by Government.
Work in this regard is underway and I expect to bring these proposals for implementation of the Review's recommendations to Government shortly.
