Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 6

Other Questions. - Special Educational Needs.

Mr. O'Dea

The recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee are being implemented on an ongoing basis as resources permit. Significant progress has already been made across a range of special needs areas since the report was published in 1993 — for example: the pupil-teacher ratios in special schools and special classes have been reduced; a significant number of additional remedial and resource teachers have been appointed; additional funding has been provided for specialised equipment for children with special needs; a pilot scheme has been introduced for the provision of escorts and safety harnesses on certain special school transport services; pupils enrolled in special classes in ordinary national schools are now also counted on the ordinary roll for the purpose of staffing allocations; additional child care assistants have been appointed to help children with disabilities and additional psychologists have been appointed to the school psychological service.

The measures which the Minister has outlined are contributing to a significant improvement in the level of service available to special needs pupils. However, the Minister is fully aware that much further work needs to be done in this area. It is his intention to continue to give priority to improving provision in the special needs area in line with the recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee.

Mr. Hayes

The Minister of State is right in saying that much has happened since 1993 and the committee's report. Will he outline his priorities in terms of additional funding for next year for this area of education?

Mr. O'Dea

Among the priorities will be allocations to further reduce the pupil-teacher ratio. In addition, we have made a special request in the current Estimates debate in relation to expanding the escort services for children with special needs who have to travel on school buses. In addition, we have secured a further £200,000 worth of special equipment for special needs children. From 1998 the allocation is £529,000. In addition, the Minister has made £250,000 more available under IT 2000.

In relation to the psychological service, we are very anxious to increase the number of psychologists in the education service, particularly in regard to the recommendations of the committee. They are the main priorities.

Mr. Hayes

This issue has been raised by a number of parents who have a particular interest in this area of education. In terms of the accessibility of schools to children with disabilities, is it the Minister's intention to instigate a review of the accessibility of schools to children with disabilities? If we are serious about trying to integrate all children within the one educational setting, surely this should be a priority, and a survey of schools in terms of their accessibility for such children should be instigated.

Mr. O'Dea

I thank Deputy Hayes for that suggestion. It is a good idea and I will certainly bring it to the Minister's attention.

Mr. O'Shea

What proposals has the Department to meet the needs of children whose problems arise from their circumstances, in other words, social and environmental matters?

Mr. O'Dea

I am not aware of any specific proposals. The Education Review Committee made specific recommendations for dealing with a number of matters over a period of time. Significant progress has been made in some of those areas. A certain amount of progress has been made in other areas. I have outlined the priorities in relation to further allocations. I am reasonably confident that this year will see another improvement towards reaching the targets established by the committee.

Mr. O'Shea

Will the Minister agree there is a growing number of children in our schools whose behaviour is dysfunctional and that there is need to address the problems of these children not alone in their own interests but in the interests of other children whose education is being interrupted and interfered with because of the conduct of these children?

Mr. O'Dea

I would agree with that. We are taking steps to make special provision for children who fall into a specific category that can be diagnosed, for example, those with attention deficit disorder. I do not know whether Deputy O'Shea's question relates to children who do not fall into specific diagnostic categories.

Mr. O'Shea

Perhaps I could clarify it.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We cannot spend much time on this question.

Mr. R. Bruton

What is the current waiting time for assessment of children with special needs? The report highlighted the fact that a very high number were awaiting assessment. At that stage over 50 per cent of children with special needs had no special teaching resource other than the classroom teacher. Will the Minister indicate to what extent that has improved in the intervening period?

Mr. O'Dea

Regarding the latter part of the Deputy's question, there were 12 different disability groups identified in the review group report. I can give him the extent to which we have reduced the pupil-teacher ratio.

Mr. R. Bruton

The Minister has misunderstood. I am not talking about special schools. I am talking about 8,000 children in ordinary schools. In respect of over half, there was no special teaching resource.

Mr. O'Dea

I would imagine that the waiting period varies depending on the disability and probably on the location of the student. I do not know whether we have any specific data on that, but if it exists I will undertake to get it for the Deputy.

Mr. R. Bruton

Will the Minister agree that failure to collect such data is the real problem, that we are not making progress because the Department does not collect crucial information?

Mr. O'Dea

I did not say we do not have the data. I said I do not have it here.

Mr. R. Bruton

The Minister will not find it when he goes back either. The Department does not bother to collect it.

Mr. O'Dea

If the data is not there it means nobody else has collected it either. I take the Deputy's suggestion on board. It seems to be a reasonably good idea for the Department to collect such data if it can be done. I undertake to pass that suggestion on to my colleague.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There are three Deputies offering. I will call the three and take a final reply from the Minister. The Deputies are Deputies Crawford, O'Shea and Hayes.

Mr. Crawford

Is the Minister aware of the total lack of psychologists to evaluate children who are in need, and that those who have the money can have instant access? There is also a lack of communication between the health board and the Department of Education and many children have to wait months if not a year for an assessment. This is extremely serious and will lead to problems in the long term. I would like the Minister's assurance that this situation will be dealt with as a matter of urgency, especially in the Border areas where there are no psychologists.

Mr. O'Shea

What specific new proposals are in place to provide for children whose problems arise from social or environmental factors and who require a holistic approach, including dealing with their parents?

Mr. Hayes

Is the Minister satisfied with the link that exists between special schools and mainstream schools to facilitate the transfer of students from those schools? Is he aware of the huge amount of disquiet among parents concerning the inter-agency response to this problem?

Mr. O'Dea

I agree with Deputy Crawford that people who are financially able to afford it can make their own arrangements and people who are not are thereby disadvantaged. It is the job of the Government and the Department to ensure the playing pitch is as level as possible. On the breakdown between the health boards and the psychological service of the Department, I take the Deputy's point. I have come across a number of cases which give cause for concern. I have discussed the matter with the Minister and we are determined to obtain the necessary resources to improve the service. That is the key to resolving the problem.

On children who do not fall into any specific category, who are disadvantaged because of their social or financial background, as Deputy O'Shea is aware, we have concentrated considerable resources on areas of disadvantage. The pupil-teacher ratio has been reduced while we are committed to expanding and intensifying the various programmes in place, including the Early Start programme. They have been designed to deal with children who come from a socially disadvantaged background.

On the link between the ordinary school system and special schools, I take Deputy Hayes's point. I have made suggestions on how the linkages can be improved. The Minister is aware of the situation.