Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
200 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if consideration will be given to the existing structure of resource teachers at a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25902/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school was advised of its teacher allocation under the new weighted system on 24 June 2004. The school has the services of one full-time shared learning support teacher post, though not based in the school, and two part-time resource teacher posts. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system. This system will involve a general weighted allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs, that is, those with borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability, as well as those with learning support needs. In addition, it will continue to allow for individual allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence special educational needs.
Weighted allocations are made as follows. In the most disadvantaged schools, as per the urban dimension of giving children an even break, a teacher of pupils with special educational needs will be allocated for every 80 pupils to cater for the subset of pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs. In all boys schools, the ratio will be one teacher for every 140 pupils. In mixed schools, or all girls schools with an enrolment of greater than 30% boys, one for every 150 pupils. In all girls schools including schools with mixed junior classes but with 30% or less boys overall, one for every 200 pupils.
The weighted allocation will enable teaching support to be provided to pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs and learning support needs. This will obviate the need for schools to submit individual applications for pupils in those categories. Schools may continue to apply for specific teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence special educational needs. My Department now proposes to devise school clusters in respect of allocations to be made under the weighted model. Sanction for the filling of posts will be considered in the context of these clusters and the weighted arrangements. In order to facilitate the full introduction of the weighted model from the school year 2005-06, my Department has agreed not to redeploy surplus teachers from full-time posts via the panel redeployment process during the current school year. Schools have been informed, also, that they may retain excess part-time teaching hours to the extent that such hours are required for children with lower incidence special educational needs.
I will continue to work for improvements in the provision of education services for children with special educational needs and will monitor the implementation of the new system to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness.
201 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 585 of 29 September 2004, the basis on which support from a full-time special needs assistant was withdrawn from the person in question; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this person’s mother is totally dissatisfied; if an urgent assessment will be carried out by the national educational psychological service in order to determine the person’s needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25922/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, when a pupil in receipt of special educational resources transfers to another school, an application to transfer the resources must be lodged with my Department. In effect, these resources are then reviewed as the child's needs may have changed since the support was originally sanctioned. In the case in question, the application for the pupil concerned was given priority. However, the application did not qualify for special needs assistant support. The application for special needs assistant support will be reconsidered if additional information on the pupil's care support needs is received in my Department. If the parent feels that an urgent assessment is necessary, she should consult with the school principal who may in turn liaise with the national educational psychological service.
