118. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding her Department has provided to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32344/15]

I wish to advise the Deputy that some €1.37 billion will be spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs this year, which represents approximately 15% of my Department's budget.

The investment which is being made to support children with special educational needs is an area of spending which has been prioritised above most other areas by this Government.

We now have the highest level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, Resource Teaching allocations and Special Class provision that we have ever had, which will ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs.

This funding also provides for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), enhanced levels of capitation in Special Schools and Special Classes, specialist transport arrangements for pupils with disabilities, additional teacher training, a Home Tuition scheme providing a compensatory educational service and assistive technology support, where required.

All special schools receive enhanced pupil teacher ratios ranging from 6-1, to 12-1, depending on the disability categorisation of pupils attending. These enhanced ratios are provided because pupils attending special schools have very significant special educational needs. Special schools also receive very high levels of Special Educational Needs Assistant staffing support as well as enhanced capitation levels.

A breakdown of the grant payments made to the school in question for the period 2012 to 2014 is set out below. This does not include salary costs of teachers and SNAs in the school.

2012 Grants paid to St. Paul's Special School

2013

2014