I am aware of the concerns to which the Deputy refers. The level of resources being made available to support students with special educational needs in the second level system has been substantially increased for the current school year and will involve the allocation of approximately 300 additional whole-time equivalent teacher posts and 75 additional special needs assistant posts. To date, a total of approximately 920 whole-time equivalent resource teacher posts and 435 whole-time equivalent special needs assistant posts have been allocated to the second level system. These resources support approximately 10,600 students with special educational needs at second level.
All applications for special support services must be considered on the basis of the professionally assessed needs of the individual students involved. The nature and level of the response provided is based on the advice of the National Educational Psychological Service. I am aware that, due to unforeseen circumstances, some delays arose in the processing of applications for special support services for a limited period earlier this year. However, I am satisfied that measures introduced by my Department have resolved this difficulty and that the great majority of applications for special support services have now been addressed.
The measures proposed in the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003 will copperfasten the rights and entitlements of pupils with special needs to an appropriate education service. It will also bring much needed clarity to the roles and responsibilities of the various bodies charged with the development and delivery of such services, including schools. I am satisfied that the necessary resources will be available to support the measures in question, including those required at the level of the individual school.
Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 121.
