Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 November 2023
67. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the position regarding an application for additional subject hours lodged with her Department by a special school earlier this year (details supplied); the status of a response to the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52754/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education has been substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. Further progress has been made in Budget 2024 where 26% of my department’s budget will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs, representing a 5% increase on Budget 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs and in 2024 a further 744 teachers, and 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs
The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2024 has provided for a number of targeted measures to support special schools. These measures are being introduced to tackle a range of issues raised by special schools and representative organisations in discussions with my Department. These include issues similar to those raised by the school referred to by the Deputy in relation to providing for increased numbers of post-primary aged students in our special schools.
These new Budgetary measures are effective for the 2024/25 school-year.
Firstly, the removal of the current 15 teacher threshold for the appointment of administrative deputy principals in special schools, so that all special schools can benefit from this additional resource. These posts will be instrumental in assisting principals with leadership and management functions and to support learning and parental and community engagement.
Secondly, an additional allocation of 100 post-primary teaching posts will be provided to special schools. The majority of special schools provide an education for children and young people aged from 4-18 years of age. These posts will support schools in delivering a greater range of the national curriculum subjects and improve student progression and transition. The posts are particularly targeted at supporting schools to offer a wider array of subjects for post-primary aged children. These additional hours will assist the school referred to by the Deputy in providing additional post-primary teaching hours and a greater range of subjects for students.
The department will be working with the NCSE, on the allocation of the additional posts to support post-primary provision, in the context of the annual staffing review for special schools in the coming months.
In addition, special schools will also benefit from the increase in capitation grants for all schools. Funding has also been secured to continue to provide an enhanced summer programme for students with special educational needs, with a focus again on children and young people in special schools.
I want to assure you also that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
