Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2024
85. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of schools, nationwide and in Galway city and county, that will lose special education teaching resources under the new education model for special needs resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8289/24]
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).
Approximately 98% of all children, including those with special education needs, are educated in mainstream classes with their peers.
The allocation model for 2024/25 distributes the total available number of SET posts in line with each school’s profile of need. The model makes an allocation on the basis of a number of inputs, including enrolment numbers. It also uses school-level data from standardised tests in order to reflect relative levels of overall need. It seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account quality, robust evidence in respect of individual schools. This ensures that resources are in the right place at the right time to meet the needs of children in mainstream.
For the 2024/25 school year nationwide, 67 % of schools have either increased their allocation of hours or retained their previous allocation of hours. Of those schools whose allocation of hours will reduce, 70% will have a reduction of 5 hours or less.
On a national basis 33% of schools will see a reduction in their SET hours of which 70% will be 5 hours or less.
In county Galway 38% will see a reduction in their SET hours of which 72% will be 5 hours or less. The reduction in hours allocated is driven by a significant reduction in enrolments in primary schools, with 10 schools having reduced enrolments of 30 or more pupils.
When we also take account of the significant additional resources being allocated for Ukrainian and/or International Protection children, there will be a net increase of 15 hours across primary and post primary for this County in September 2024
The Department acknowledges that every school is different, and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method. This is always a challenge when making allocations in respect of 4,000 schools. It is for this reason that the Department, working with the NCSE has streamlined the review process for special education teachers and schools who have any concerns can engage with the NCSE on their allocation.
