Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
98 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science when a person (details supplied) can expect to obtain five hours weekly resource teaching, as recommended by his Department; when their sibling can expect to receive learning support; when this service is implemented that the older sibling will not lose out in order to facilitate their siblings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10972/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has received applications for special educational resources, SER, from the school referred to by the Deputy, including an application for the first and second named child.
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 of these cases were responded to before or soon after 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. 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 the 31 August 2003, including the applications for the first and second named pupils in question, 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.
The school currently has the services of a shared learning support teacher. It is a matter for the school principal, together with the learning support teacher, to allocate appropriate time to pupils requiring learning support assistance.
My Department is at present reviewing existing arrangements for the allocation of special educational supports to primary schools. In that context, my officials have initiated discussions on the matter with representative interests. At this stage, it would be premature to anticipate the outcome. I can confirm, however, that the basic purpose of that review is to ensure that each school has the level of resources required to cater for its pupils with special educational needs.
