Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
61. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the difficulties being experienced in ensuring a satisfactory support plan for a person (details supplied) will be addressed. [2547/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that at present, all schools are encouraged to use Education Plans. My Department's Inspectorate's advice is that the majority of schools are now using some form of education planning for children with special educational needs.
Guidelines for schools on educational planning and monitoring of outcomes and the manner in which they should conduct educational planning, through the Student Support File, are contained in the Guidelines for Schools: Supporting Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools, available at:
http://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/Special-Education/Guidelines-for-Primary-Schools-Supporting-Pupils-with-Special-Educational-Needs-in-Mainstream-Schools.pdf .
The guidelines note that effective planning ensures that the school’s resources are deployed efficiently and that they achieve the desired outcomes.
They also note that schools are encouraged to consult with parents in relation to their child’s needs and support planning.
Matters such as this are therefore best resolved between the parent and the school in the first instance. The parent should discuss with the school, the type of planning which can be put in place to support their child in school. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Support Service is also available to provide support and training for schools around the provision of support for pupils with special educational needs. Further information is available from the NCSE www.ncse.ie.
