Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
313 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason resource hours in respect of nine persons with special needs have not been granted to a school (details supplied); the reason the school was given two different dates upon which they would have an answer; when an answer will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6050/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has received applications for special education needs, SEN, support for eight pupils attending the school in question during the period from 15 February to 31 August 2003 and a further application was received in the Department on 2 February 2004. Special educational resource, SER, applications received between 15 February and 31 August 2003, are being considered at present. In all, more than 5,000 such applications were received. Priority was given to cases involving children starting school last September and all these cases were responded to at or before the commencement of the current school year.
The balance of more than 4,000 applications has been reviewed by a dedicated team comprising members of my Department's Inspectorate and the national educational psychological service, NEPS. These applications are being further considered in the context of the outcome of surveys of SER provision conducted over the past year or so. Account is also being taken of the data submitted by schools as part of the recent nationwide census of SER provision.
The processing of the applications is a complex and time-consuming operation. However, my Department is endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible and my officials will then respond to all applicant schools. Pending a response, schools are advised to refer to Circular 24/03, which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources already allocated for special educational needs within the school.
The arrangements for processing applications received after 31 August 2003 will be considered in the context of the outcome of discussions on a weighted system of allocation of resource teaching support. A further communication will be sent to schools in this regard.
314 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the contract for special needs assistants for second level schools is different from the contract for special needs assistants at primary school level; the reason for the difference in pay and conditions particularly for holiday periods between the two; the reason special needs assistants at second level are paid by the individual school and not by the Department of Education and Science; the reason a person (details supplied) of St. Killian’s community school in Bray who has been a special needs assistant since October 2001 has not been made permanent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6051/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe arrangements governing contracts for special needs assistants at second level are the subject of discussions at the Labour Relations Commission.
My Department provides a payroll service for the payment of special needs assistants on behalf of boards of management of primary schools. The payment of special needs assistants employed in secondary schools and community and comprehensive schools is a matter for the managerial authority of each school.
The issue of my Department providing a payroll service for the employment of special needs assistants in secondary and community and comprehensive schools is under consideration. Special needs assistant posts are allocated by my Department where the professionally assessed needs of a child or children involved are such as to require the delivery of such support. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authorities. Each case is considered on its merits and determined on the advice of the psychological service. Special needs assistants posts, including the post to which the Deputy refers, are sanctioned on a temporary basis and are subject to review in light of the emerging needs of the pupil(s) concerned.
