Written Answers. ›
Special Educational Needs.
1039 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received the report on the review of the role and operation of special schools and special classes (details supplied); when it is intended to make this report public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11148/09]
Comment on this
1074 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science when the special education unit in St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin will issue their report in the review of special schools and special classes. [11743/09]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1039 and 1074 together.
The report in question has not yet been received in my Department. It is expected that this review will be completed in 2009.
Comment on this
1040 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistant positions that have been withdrawn by his Department in 2008; the effect that this decision has on the extra work load placed on the teaching staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11163/09]
Comment on this
As the Deputy may be aware, special needs assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools to enable them support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
There are now over 19,000 staff in our schools working solely with children with special needs. This includes over 10,000 SNAs — compared with just 300 in 1997. In 2008, some schools would have had SNA posts withdrawn while other schools would have been allocated additional posts. Overall in 2008, there was a net gain of 618 SNA posts in the school system.
SNAs and teachers have separate yet complementary roles. SNAs provide care support to pupils with special educational needs who have been assessed as having such needs while teachers deliver education to the pupils.