Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
513. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education the timeframe for the publication of the evaluation report of the pilot of the school inclusion model undertaken in CHO7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24537/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Inclusion Model (SIM) is based on policy advice from the National Council for Special Education based on the principle of providing the right support at the right time delivered by a range of personnel with relevant qualifications and skill-sets. Its purpose is to help students achieve better outcomes and test a model of tailored therapeutic supports that allows for early intervention in terms of providing speech and language and occupational therapy within educational settings.
This project will bring together therapists and educational professionals to work together to plan, collaborate, and share their professional knowledge and expertise to more efficiently support greater numbers of pupils in school environments, where there are often large concentrations of need.
In February 2019, the Government approved the trialling of the Model for the 2019/20 school year. Initially designed as a one year pilot involving up to 75 participating schools in the CHO 7 region, it was interrupted by Covid-19 with the closure of schools and the redeployment of therapists to Covid-19 priority work in March 2020. It was then extended to the 2020/21 school year which has also been interrupted by Covid.
As part of the 2021 Budget measures, funding is being made available to extend the School Inclusion Model to two other areas in 2021.
Planning is underway on the arrangements for the continuation, evaluation and expansion of SIM and I will make an announcement on the matter as soon as possible.
