Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2023
146. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide funding to a school (details supplied) to allow for the creation of a walking deputy principal role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5185/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
Since 2012, special schools are staffed on the basis of individual pupil profiles and the disability categorisations of those pupils, as opposed to being based primarily on school designation, in accordance with my Department's Circular 0032/2019 - Appointment of Administrative Deputy Principal and Staffing in Special Schools.
In terms of additional teaching support, special schools receive significant funding and have been resourced to reflect their particular needs. My Department does however recognise that there are additional challenges which arise for special schools including the importance attached to establishing and fostering positive links between the home, school and other agencies.
My Department is actively engaging with NABMSE (National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education) - the representative body for boards of management in special schools, to address some of these additional challenges. During November and December of last year, NABMSE facilitated a series of meetings nationwide between my Department and special schools. This engagement involves considering how additional school management posts, such as a Deputy Administrative Principal, are allocated to special schools to help alleviate the administrative burden on school leaders.
Consideration is also being given to addressing the significant additional funding challenges that arise for special schools.
My Department is committed to continuing this engagement to address these issues facing special schools.
