Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2021
160. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the advice she has for parents of children with additional educational needs who cannot find a special needs assistant to engage in the allocation of five hours per week of home-based teaching or care supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10633/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe supplementary programme is intended to supplement the teaching and learning provided by the student’s school and alleviate the impact of this period of school closure through the provision of 5 hours per week in-person teaching or care support to be delivered in homes.
The programme must be delivered outside of the normal school day (i.e. evenings and weekends), so that the student can continue to engage as fully as possible with the teaching and learning provided by their school.
The Department’s approach is intended to be flexible so as to maximise the number of students participating.
Any unused hours can be delivered to families at any time before 30 April 2021, including during the Easter holidays.
Schools have been requested to assist Parents in sourcing a Teacher/SNA on school staff or other teachers and SNAs known to the school.
In addition, the NCSE provides information on how to source a Teacher or SNA where parents cannot source one through their schools at the following link https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Supplementary-Programme-2021.pdf.
Support can also be accessed through Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) at the link: www.educationposts.ie/notice/supprog.
