Niall Collins
Question:242. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will assist a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30286/23]
View answerThursday, 22 June 2023
Questions (242)
Written answers
I 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. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
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.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE have advised my Department that the school is provided with class teachers on a ratio that reflects the profile of needs of the students. In respect of the school in question the maximum ratio of one teacher to every six students is applied.
The total enrolment for the school is expected to be no higher than 100 and a total of 17 class teachers have been allocated accordingly. This is the lowest level of enrolment at the school since the 2015/2016 school year. A decision to reduce enrolments to 100 was made by the Board of Management of the school at local level. The school are aware that resources are allocated in line with enrolments and the care needs of the students.
The school also has an administrative principal post, an administrative deputy principal post and an additional concessionary teaching allocation of 1.64 posts. This brings the total teaching and school leadership posts to 20.64 posts.
The SNA allocation for the school was subject to a review which is currently underway and the school are to be notified shortly of the outcome of that review and of the final allocation of SNAs for the 2023/2024 school year.
Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website, ncse.ie/for-schools.
My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations and the school should liaise with the NCSE directly in the event that additional supports are required.