Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2024
83. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the calculation for the baseline allocation of resources to rapidly developing primary schools for the provision of educational supports for rapidly developing schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10865/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
As the SET allocation model has been in place since 2017 based on a 2014 NCSE report, my Department believed a review of the model was prudent. The department commenced a review in late 2022 to ensure that the model was meeting the changing needs in special education.
A key outcome of the review was the need as a first step to move the SET allocation model to an annualised process from the existing 2/3year updating of a schools profile.
The intervals between updates to school profiles historically has meant that the model may not have had the capacity to respond to the needs of schools, particularly new and rapidly developing schools, to the extent required.
The move to an annualised updating of profiles is a crucial component in supporting developing schools in the provision of support to their pupils.
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 model over the coming years. . The initial focus will be on issues such as:
• Development of a revised process for resourcing new schools and those in early stages of development
• Development of a mechanism for transfer of resources from primary to post primary based on changing demographics
• Examination of geographically isolated schools
• Examination of additional potential data sets already available in schools or other areas within the early years settings that could support greater sensitivity in the model.
My department with be consulting closely with our education partners on these developments including a revised process for rapidly developing schools.
The Department acknowledges that every school is different, and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method. This is always a challenge when making allocations in respect of 4,000 schools.
As part of the revised streamlined review process the NCSE has been asked to prioritise review requests from rapidly developing schools.
I would like to confirm that the allocation to all schools is based on the pillars (enrolment, literacy and numeracy and educational disadvantage as outlined in circular 02/2024
