Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
322. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress in implementing the new system for allocating educational supports such as learning resource hours and special needs assistants which is being overseen by the National Council of Special Education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31581/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education published its Report on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teachers for Students with Special Educational Needs on 18th June 2014. The report recommends that a new allocation model should be developed, based on a schools educational profile, while also providing a baseline allocation to every mainstream school in order to support inclusion. It was recommended that the school profile should take into account details of the number of students with complex needs attending, percentages of students performing below a certain threshold on standardised tests, and the social context of a school. To assist with the process of considering the report recommendations, my Department will begin to gather information required to develop the proposed new model. This will review how the proposed model will impact on schools. There will also be full and comprehensive consultation with stakeholders and education partners, including the parents of special needs children. I would hope that this work can be completed by the Autumn. With regard to the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support. Where children have significant care needs whereby they may need additional support to be able to attend school, the NCSE may make an allocation of SNA support to the school to assist that child. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.
