Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2024
82. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the data sets that will be included in the school data return process in 2024; if children's diagnosis status will be included in the data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10864/24]
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.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113m will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
When the 2017 model was introduced it replaced a diagnosis led model with one based on need. This has not changed for 2024 and the allocation to schools is to support all of the children in school who require some level of additional teaching support.
The department, along with stakeholders, are cognisant that the model needs to continue to evolve so that the SET allocations process takes into account new or improved data sources and other changes within the school system.
A phased high level plan has been compiled to further enhance the data available to support the model has been highlighted
This will include examining the data sets that are available on a consistent basis across all schools for inclusion the school data return process.
