Finian McGrath
Ceist:161. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the cuts to staffing for pupils with special needs. [22075/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 10 June 2015
Ceisteanna (161)
Freagraí scríofa
Expenditure supporting pupils with special educational needs in 2015 will amount to over €1.3bn. This year we have again increased the number of Resource Teachers and SNAs which will be allocated to schools, while over 120 new special classes will open for 2015/16 school year. 6,454 resource teacher posts will be allocated to schools for the start of the coming school year, which is an increase of 554 posts or over 9%, since September 2014. In addition, 11,330 SNA posts, an increase of 365 posts, or over 3%, are available to the NCSE to allocate to the end of 2015, which is also a greater level than has ever previously been available.
I welcome the fact, that even in the constrained economic circumstances we have faced in recent years, we have been able to continue to meet the needs of children with special educational needs attending our schools.