Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
148. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the number of schools which have been allocated SET hours; and the number of schools which appealed their allocation; by county, from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [6828/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
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.
The allocation model for 2024/25 distributes the total available number of Special education Teacher posts in line with each school’s profile of need. The model makes an allocation on the basis of a number of inputs, including enrolment numbers. It also uses school-level data from standardised tests in order to reflect relative levels of overall needed. It seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account as much evidence as possible in respect of individual schools and evidence in respect of the best possible use of resources.
The allocation model deals with mainstream schools only and there are separate allocation model for Special classes and Special Schools.
I would like to confirm to the Deputy that all mainstream school have received a Special Education Teacher Allocation and this amounts to 3,811 schools.
As the appeals process in 2022 was managed by the NCSE, we are forwarding your query for their direct reply.
