I wish to advise the Deputy that the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and has responsibility for operating the school efficiently and effectively. In line with the Act, the principal teacher is responsible for the day to day management of the school including the guidance and direction of teachers and other staff.
In relation to the inspection of schools, the core elements of the work of the Inspectorate are the evaluation of the work of teachers, schools and centres for education, and the supply of advice and support in relation to educational provision. To fulfil that function, the Inspectorate uses a range of inspection models to evaluate schools and other learning settings.
These range from one-day, unannounced incidental inspections, to more intensive whole-school evaluations and inspections that follow-through on how schools have implemented recommendations made in previous inspection reports.
The Inspectorate has developed inspection models for special educational needs at primary (SEN-P) and at post-primary (SEN-PP) levels. Inspectors engage in a comprehensive programme of training prior to conducting these inspections. They also engage in a programme of continuous professional development in the area of special educational needs. The focus of the SEN inspections is on the outcomes for pupils with special educational needs in schools and on the extent to which schools use the resources it receives to improve outcomes for pupils with special educational needs.
In relation to the provision of assistive technology support, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including assistive technology. SENOs make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making such recommendations, as set out in Circular 0010/2013.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. It is open to parents to contact SENOs directly to discuss their child’s special educational needs, using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/seno-contact-list”
