Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
225. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the National Council for Special Education will be undertaking a review of the model for allocating special needs assistants as recommended by the focused policy assessment by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service; and the terms of reference of this review. [26437/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government publically announced its decision of 14th June 2016 to increase the number of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts available for allocation in schools by 860 posts. In keeping with the recommendation of the Focused Policy Assessment of the SNA scheme the Government also agreed and announced that the SNA scheme would be comprehensively assessed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
In line with the provisions of Section 20 (j) of the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, I have requested the NCSE to lead a comprehensive assessment of the SNA scheme, in consultation with other relevant Departments and State Agencies, including the National Disability Authority (NDA). My officials have also asked the NCSE to ensure that bodies representing the interests of SNAs are also fully consulted in this process.
The NCSE has already commenced work in preparation for the review and it is expected that with the necessary research and comprehensive consultation it is envisaged that the review would be substantially finalised by the summer of 2017.
The Terms of Reference of the comprehensive review is set out as follows for the Deputy’s information.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANT (SNA) SCHEME
TERMS OF REFERENCE
August 2016
The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, T.D., requests the NCSE to lead a comprehensive review of the SNA scheme, in consultation with other relevant Departments and State Agencies, including the National Disability Authority (NDA) and in that context to:
1. Identify and recommend how, in the future, the additional care needs of students, over and above those needs that could be reasonably expected to be managed by teaching staff, should be met and
2. Identify and recommend the most appropriate form of support options to provide better outcomes for students with Special Educational Needs who have additional care needs, having regard to the significant amount of State investment in this area.
The Minister also requests the NCSE, as part of the review, to:
1. Examine whether the SNA scheme continues to meet its purpose as set out in Circular 0030/2014.
2. Consider whether the scheme is being used to meet needs, other than care needs, and if so, what are those needs, taking into account the primary and secondary care needs outlined in Circular 0030/2014.
3. provide advice on appropriate SNA qualifications and training levels
4. Evaluate the role of professional reports in providing a robust basis for the allocation of additional care supports under the scheme
5. Conduct a detailed analysis of the current allocation and distribution of SNAs focussing on what support is being given, to whom and why?
6. Define and examine outcomes of students under current arrangements, taking into account the findings of the Altered Provision Pilot Project
7. In preparing its report, to have regard to the commitments set out in the programme for a Partnership Government in relation to the introduction of an in-school speech and language service.
8. In preparing its Report to take account of the findings and recommendations of the Report on the Role of the special Needs Assistant which was published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection in January 2016.
