Resource teachers and special-needs assistants
The Leader says staffing levels are protected, citing 10,575 special-needs assistants and unchanged resource-teacher allocations, while Senator O’Brien argues that rising demand makes this effectively a cut.
I cannot respond to that point of order which has left me somewhat taken aback.
Senator Darragh O'Brien claimed that the Government is not putting children first in this country. In fact, the reason we had a referendum on children's rights is that this Government is determined to put children first. I was not going to comment on the Senator's suggestion as to what the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, might say today. I should point out, however, that the provision for resource teachers and special needs assistants for the coming school year will remain at the same level as this year.
Comment on this
The number of SNAs remains at 10,575 and the number of resource teachers allocated by the National Council for Special Education will once again be 5,265.
Comment on this
How many pupils will avail of the service?
Comment on this
A further 4,685 resource teachers have been allocated by the Department, bringing the overall allocation to 9,950. This is the third year in a row in which the number of SNAs and resource teachers has been protected by the Government.
Comment on this
It amounts to a cut, however, because there are more children coming into the system.
Comment on this
The NCSE has indicated that demand for resource teachers has risen again this year. As the number of posts available is the same as last year, it is necessary to reduce the individual allocations by a further 10% to ensure all children who require resource teacher support will be able to access it.
Comment on this
Will the Leader stand over this claim that all children who require such support will receive it?
