Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
182. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will assist a school (details supplied) in obtaining an increase in special education hours given the increase in enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20116/24]
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 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.
The Special Education Teaching (SET) allocation model for 2024/25 is based on information from all 4,000 schools in the country. The model distributes the total available number of SET posts in line with each school’s profile of need.
The model seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account as much evidence as possible in respect of individual schools and evidence in respect of the best possible use of resources. Schools must adhere to the guidance on the use of SET hours and support all children with additional teaching needs using the continuum of support framework.
The revised model is providing an annual allocation of SET hours, using the best possible available data sources and is ensuring that the right resource is available at the right time to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. Schools have autonomy to deploy those resources to meet the needs of their students. In this regard it is important to note that 67% of all schools saw their allocation increase or remain the same, whereas 33% saw a reduction in hours. Of those schools who saw a reduction in hours 90% was a result of falling enrolment.
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 SET hours and schools who have any concerns can engage with the NCSE on their allocation.
This review process has now commenced with reviews being considered on a weekly basis with first priority given to schools who are developing or rapidly developing.
Additional resources will be provided to schools in cases where the NCSE have identified that this is required.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
The NCSE have advised that they have reviewed and streamline the SET review process following feedback from schools and our education partners. The new streamlined review process was introduced for the SET Allocation for 2024/25 school year. A school could request a review of their allocation on the NCSE portal in March 2024 and the NCSE has committed to completing the reviews in the period March to May 2024 on a prioritised bases with rapidly developing schools being given priority.
I note that the school has applied for a review of their SET allocation and the NCSE will respond directly to the school on this matter.
The school should also make contact with their local SENO to discuss the matters outlined and the NCSE can also provide Adviser support to the school as required.
It is important to note that SET hours are only one component of support for children in mainstream classes. The most important support is the mainstream class teacher. The student/teacher ratio at primary level is now 23:1 which means there are more mainstream teachers than ever before in our educational system.
