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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Ceisteanna (451)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

451. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education her future plans for special educational schools and also the six reading schools; the extra resources she will provide for mainstream schools to accommodate children with more significant additional needs especially in the context of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34895/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is currently undertaking Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.

This Policy Advice is to be completed and a report submitted by NCSE in December 2020.

A progress report was published in November 2019 by the NCSE. This summarises NCSE’s progress to date, emerging findings and steps to complete the advice.

When the Policy Advice is received later this year it will be considered by the Department.

In terms of resources, my Department is committed to supporting every child with special educational needs to receive an education. We will spend approximately €2 Billion, or over 20% of the total educational budget annually, on making additional provision for children with special educational needs next year. This represents an increase of over 50% in total expenditure since 2011.

This investment will allow us to provide over 1,200 extra special class places next year.

There are currently over 13,550 Special Education Teachers allocated to mainstream schools, supporting the additional learning needs of pupils, of which 9,325 are allocated to primary schools. This represents an increase of 40% in the provision for Special Education Teachers since 2011.

An additional 145 Special Education Teachers will also be available for allocation next year.

The number of SNAs in the school system has increased by almost 60% since 2011. Approximately 1,000 additional SNAs will also be allocated to schools next year, bringing the total number to 18,000.

COVID-19 has negatively impacted across all aspects of society including the area of education which saw the closure of schools. My Department recognised that such school closures can have a particular impact on children with special educational needs and provided specific guidance for schools to support continuity of learning for these children during the school closure period. This guidance has been updated recently to support children and schools in the event of a class or school closure due to COVID-19.

A significantly expanded summer education programme for children with complex special educational needs was also provided, which aimed to prevent regression among children with special needs.

Knowing that schools are the best place to support the education and well-being of all children it has been a priority of this Government to ensure that schools could reopen in a way that is safe and sustainable. A financial package of over €375 million has been provided to support the reopening of schools. There is a dedicated package for the special education sector, which includes provision for additional staffing, reconfiguration of classes, enhanced cleaning, Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and access to additional psychological supports.

Additional provisions are also being made for children with special needs including an enhanced COVID-19 rate payable in respect of students attending special schools and special classes, including special classes in mainstream primary schools.

Priority has also been afforded to managing children's well-being, allowing opportunities to catch-up on key areas of learning and taking the time to meet the needs of individual children as they present in schools. Each school is best placed to support the needs of their individual students and schools are afforded flexibility in how they address these needs.

My Department will continue to work with stakeholders, in line with the public health guidance, to ensure that schools remain open and delivering education to support all children including those with special educational needs.

Overall, I am satisfied that the enhanced supports under the return to school package, combined with the very significant levels of provision currently available will ensure that pupils with special educational needs can continue to be supported in schools.

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