Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
322. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of the review by her Department of the policy on reading classes and schools; and when these findings along with relevant recommendations will be published. [12426/22]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
A continuum of education provision is in place covering the full range of need spanning placement in mainstream classes with supports through to more specialist placements either in a special class or a special school depending on the level of complexity of need.
Available supports include provision to meet care needs and to provide additional teaching support where this is required. In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to help schools provide an appropriate education for pupils with special educational needs including reading difficulties.
NCSE is currently undertaking Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.
This Policy Advice is to be completed shortly and will then be considered by my Department.
As the Deputy is aware, I have also requested my Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools. This review will be undertaken by the Department's Inspectorate and is scheduled to commence after Easter. When completed, this report will also be considered in the context of overall policy on special education.
