Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021
78. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if the review of the pilot scheme of delivering therapeutic support to a regionally grouped set of schools and preschools has been completed in order that her Department is in a position to extend the scheme to a new catchment resources permitting. [24038/21]
View answerThe School Inclusion Model (SIM) is based on policy advice from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) based on the principle of providing the right support at the right time delivered by a range of personnel with relevant qualifications and skill-sets.
On 12 February 2019, Government approved the trialling of a new School Inclusion Model (SIM) for the 2019/20 school year in the CHO7 area of West Dublin, Kildare, and West Wicklow.
The purpose of the pilot is to develop a holistic model of support for students with a view to achieving better outcomes. The Model includes the provision of therapeutic supports including speech and language and occupational therapy in schools, a change in the way special needs assistants are allocated for mainstream classes, increased psychological support and more training and professional supports for schools.
Independent evaluation is a central element of the pilot, the outcome of which will guide the future development of the Model.
The SIM pilot was disrupted with the closure of schools as a result of COVID-19 from March to September 2020 and again in January 2021. The HSE therapists who had been working in schools as part of the School Inclusion Model (SIM) were reassigned to Covid related priority work in the health services. Consequently, the pilot has been paused since March 2020.
Because SIM is a priority for Government, additional funding was provided in Budget 2021 to extend the Model to two new areas from September next.
With the full reopening of schools on 12 April, planning for the resumption of SIM and its expansion to the two areas is now underway. Consultation with schools, education stakeholders and relevant Governments Departments and agencies is underway. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on the matter over coming months.
