Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
281. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the report by the Special Education Review Committee which decides pupil staffing allocations for special schools; when this allocation model was last reviewed; when it will be updated in line with the reduction in the pupil teacher ratio in mainstream schools through recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8084/20]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in special schools, in accordance with the policies of my Department.
Staffing arrangements for special schools are in line with policy advice provided by the NCSE in 2013, which did not recommend alteration to staffing ratios established under SERC Report in 1993.
Enhanced pupil teacher and SNA ratios are provided to special schools to support them in dealing with pupils' educational and care needs.
Since 2012, special schools are staffed on the basis of individual pupil profile and the disability categorisations of those pupils, as opposed to being based primarily on school designation, in accordance with my Department's molst recent Circular 0032/2019 - Appointment of Administrative Deputy Principal and Staffing in Special Schools.
Arrangements in Special school staffing alloctions are reviewed and updated each year by the NCSE and special schools are staffed on the basis of each year’s current school enrolments.
The NCSE are currently undertaking policy advice on the educational provision that should be in place for students educated in special schools and special classes. This policy advise will make recommendations on the provision required to enable students in special schools and classes to achieve better outcomes.
The NCSE have been asked to complete and submit it’s report to the Minister not later than December 2020. There will be no change to the staffing arrangements currently in place in special schools, pending the receipt and consideration of this policy advice.
