Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024

Tuesday, 13 February 2024

Ceisteanna (281)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

281. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of special educational needs organisers currently in place in Kerry. [6218/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities.

The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies.

It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey. The government has recently provided an additional €13 million for the expansion of services within the NCSE. This will mean an increase of up to 161 additional staff in the organisation, a workforce increase of 50%. Within this, provision has been made to increase the number of SENOs nationally by 47, to give a total SENO complement of 120. These SENOs will be organised and targeted into the areas of greatest need and organised on a county basis.

Currently, the Kerry area falls under the NCSE’s West Team 2 region, which includes the counties of Limerick and Clare and team consists of 9 SENOs. Should any vacancy arise, a SENO point of contact is assigned to the area to assist schools, parents, and local services until the position is filled. Essential services are maintained through cover provided from available staffing resources. Parents should consult the regional contact list on the NCSE website to ensure they have the most up-to-date contact details of their SENO, or the SENO covering for their area.