Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
302. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to amend or update the current Report of the Special Education Review Committee 1993 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55273/21]
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, including the allocation of SNAs, in accordance with the policies of my Department.
Special school staffing allocations are reviewed and updated each year by the NCSE and special schools are staffed on the basis of each year’s current school enrolments. 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 the Special Education Review Committee (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. These 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.
The NCSE has been requested to develop Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools.
This Policy Advice is expected to be completed shortly.
