Vol. 520 No. 5
1 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on a survey of children with special needs which reveals that 44% of parents indicate that almost none of the special supports identified in the assessment of their child have been made available. [16205/00]
As Minister for Education and Science I would be seriously concerned that any parent of a special needs child should feel that the needs of his or child are not being adequately addressed. Since taking office, the Government has undertaken an unprecedented level of development in special education services.
Arising from a Government decision in October 1998, all children with special needs within the primary system now have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs, irrespective of their disability or location. The response in question may take the form of resource teacher support or child care support or both, depending on the needs involved. Already, as a result of this development, the number of resource teachers in the primary system has been increased from 104 in October 1998 to 450 at present. The number of special need assistants helping children with special needs in the primary system has been increased from 299 to 1,095 over the same period. My Department will continue to allocate further resources in response to identified needs.
In addition, the special pupil-teacher ratios applicable to all special schools and special classes catering for children with special needs has been reduced to the level recommended by the special education review committee. Also, since September 1999, the remedial teacher service has been extended to every first and second level school in the country with a pupil-teacher ratio of 10:1 or more. Schools with lower ratios are free to apply to my Department for remedial support where they can demonstrate a need for the service.
The National Educational Psychological Service Agency was formally established with effect from 1 September 1999. This service is being developed on a phased basis over five years with the objective of ensuring that all schools will have access to the service before the end of 2004. As part of this process, the number of psychologists in the service will be increased from 43 to almost 100 by next September.
While these developments constitute a major advance in the quality of our special educational services, I fully recognise that much work remains to be done, especially where the parents of children with special needs are concerned. I will be anxious that the system be made more responsive and supportive.
Additional information.In this connection, I would point out that a planning group is currently finalising work in my Department on an overall review of our approach to special education services. The remit of the group is to make recommendations on the arrangements which should be put in place to ensure the most effective provision of a high quality co-ordinated service at all levels of the education system for students with special needs. I expect to receive the report from the group in the near future and I assure the House that I will respond as positively as possible to any proposals which will contribute to supporting children with special needs and their parents.
Does it surprise the Minister that 44% of parents report that almost none of the support services identified in assessment are being provided? Does it also surprise him that in relation to those children, even a small number of them, who receive speech therapy services, one third of them are getting less than ten minutes per week while the balance are getting less than half an hour per week? Does he accept children with learning and speech difficulties cannot possibly have their needs met in ten minutes, which is barely time to sit down and get settled in, let alone address serious language or communication difficulties?
It is difficult for me to comment on the figure of 44% referred to by the Deputy because this is apparently a figure from a Fine Gael survey. I would like to have seen a copy of it to be able to judge it properly.
I can provide that.
For example, I am not sure if there is a confusion between the health services and educational services and I appreciate there is a need for improvement on the health service side. The Minister for Health and Children understands that and is trying to do something about it.
On the education side, there is no question but that the increase of 1,142 people assisting in the period since the end of 1998 is very substantial. I have said there is more to be done, but never before in the history of the State has there been such an increase. The people I meet from school to school are delighted with it and, like me, they realise that there is more to be done.
Will the Minister organise a survey of parents of children with special needs to establish the true situation if he is not happy with our survey? Is he aware that there is seething anger among many parents? Does he not agree that it is ludicrous that the Department of Education and Science is providing education services and is dependent on an over-stretched health board for speech therapy services in many counties where the service is nil? I have been advised by Deputy Naughten that this is the case in County Roscommon.
Does the Minister agree that parents should have the statutory right to appeal cases where the service is not provided to their children? Such a right was denied by the previous Minister. It was announced on his departure from office last January, but that is the last we have heard of it. Does he not agree that we must seriously commit speech therapy resources, survey real needs and put legal rights in place? Does he accept that those are the minimum measures we need to undertake?
A planning group is currently finalising work on an overall review of the approach to special education services and their needs, to target the services better. The Government made that decision at the end of 1998.
Has the group surveyed the parents?
Extra facilities have been made available and have been applied. We want to ensure that as we provide extra resources they are well targeted.
How about asking the parents?
I see no problem about asking parents.
Will the Minister do that? Is that a formal commitment on his part?
