Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2005

Tuesday, 6 December 2005

Ceisteanna (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409)

Damien English

Ceist:

448 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of learning resource teachers in Navan, County Meath, over the period 2002, 2003, 2004, and to date in 2005. [37952/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

449 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of learning resource teachers in Kells, County Meath, over the period 2002, 2003, 2004, and to date in 2005. [37953/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

450 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of learning resource teachers in Trim, County Meath, over the period 2002, 2003, 2004, and to date in 2005. [37954/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

451 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of learning resource teachers in Oldcastle, County Meath, over the period 2002, 2003, 2004, and to date in 2005. [37955/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

452 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of learning resource teachers in Castlepollard, County Westmeath, over the period 2002, 2003, 2004, and to date in 2005. [37956/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

453 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of learning resource teachers in Enfield, County Meath, over the period 2002, 2003, 2004, and to date in 2005. [37957/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

461 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of the current need in respect of remedial, resource or other special needs teachers at all primary and second level schools throughout County Meath; her proposals to approve the necessary staff increases to meet this need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37965/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

468 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs teachers appointed to each of the schools throughout County Meath; the number still required as identified by various school authorities; her proposals to make the necessary appointments to meet these requirements in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37976/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

469 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants approved or appointed to each of the schools throughout County Meath; the additional number required; her proposals to meet this requirement in full in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37977/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 453, inclusive, and 461, 468 and 469 together.

The information regarding the number of special education teachers in County Meath in the years 2002 to 2005 is not readily available within my Department and it would take an inordinate time to compile. However, at primary level, approximately 5,000 teachers in our primary schools work directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers works specifically with children with special needs. At second level, approximately 1,628 whole-time equivalent additional teachers are in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares with approximately 200 teachers in 1998. In addition, 532 whole-time equivalent learning support teachers are in our second level schools.

In recent years the number of teaching posts allocated to cater for pupils with special needs at post-primary level has increased as follows:

	Resource	Learning Support
2002-2003	855 wtes	545
2003-2004	1,105 wtes	533
2004-2005	1,388 wtes	528
2005-2006	1,628 wtes	532

wtes = (whole-time teacher equivalents).

Approximately 261 whole-time special needs assistants, SNAs, in primary and second level schools in County Meath support children with special needs. Applications for special needs teaching and SNA supports are dealt with by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which processes all applications for such support from schools and communicates the decisions directly to the schools. Where it has been established additional SNA posts are required, these posts are continuing to be allocated on an ongoing basis. The Deputy may be aware that the Government has put in place unprecedented support for children with special needs. Since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to more than 6,000 nationally. I am confident the advent of the NCSE will prove of major benefit in ensuring all children with special educational needs, including those in the counties referred to by the Deputy, receive the support they require when and where they require it.