Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
872. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the introduction of a dedicated resource teacher for each junior infant class in mainstream classes in order to help young children transition into primary school level and, in particular, to assist those with English language difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41346/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that all mainstream primary schools have been allocated additional resource teaching and learning support allocations under the General Allocation Model to support children with mild general learning difficulties, learning support needs, or English Additional Language (EAL) support. The General Allocation Model (GAM) currently allocates over 4,200 Learning Support/Resource Teachers to primary schools, and is now updated annually, based on the number of mainstream teaching posts in schools in the previous school year, reflecting any growth in school size. The criteria by which such resources are allocated to schools under the GAM is set out in my Department's Circular 07/2014. Schools then have autonomy to deploy their GAM resource allocations to children depending on their specific needs. It is a matter for schools to monitor and utilise their allocation of additional teaching support to best support the needs of identified pupils, including pupils in junior infant classes, in accordance with my Department's guidance. The teaching time afforded to each individual pupil is therefore decided and managed by schools, taking into account each child's needs. In addition, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocates additional resource teaching hours to schools for children who have been assessed within the low incidence, or more complex, category of special need, as defined by my Department's Circular Sp Ed 02/05. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
