Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2024
68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of establishing a special class in a mainstream school for students with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department secured funding of €2.7 billion for special education expenditure in Budget 2024 which will provide essential supports to children with special educational needs and allow for the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.
Each new special class requires additional funding for staffing and capitation. Professional development and professional supports for the additional special class staff is also required.
Capital funding may also be required to provide the necessary school accommodation and equipment supports for the additional special classes either through the provision of additional school accommodation or reconfiguration of existing school accommodation should that be considered feasible and appropriate. Additional funding also needs to be considered on an individual basis for students as they may be eligible for school transport, assistive technology and other such supports.
Schools receive the mainstream capitation rate and an enhanced capitation grant per student enrolled in a special class. In addition, the following grants are available;
• A special class start-up grant of €6,500.
• A grant of €2,500 for standard classroom furniture.
• A specialised furniture/equipment grant for individual students who require specialised furniture/equipment.
• An technology grant of €6,700 per new primary classroom in a new building.
Each new special class at primary level is staffed with one teacher and two special needs assistants (SNAs). In post-primary this rises to 1.5 teachers and 2 SNAs. The average annual cost for a teacher is approximately €71,115 and approximately €40,860 for an SNA. Additional staffing resources may also be required depending on the level of need of the individual students.
Depending on the existing staffing schedule and number of active special classes already in the mainstream school, the mainstream school may be eligible for additional staffing in accordance with the circular on staffing arrangements for the relevant school year.
The capital costs associated with establishing a new special class depend on the school accommodation requirements which may be reconfiguration of existing school accommodation or provision of additional school accommodation.
The indicative capital cost for one class re-configuration of existing accommodation is estimated at approximately €300,000. Re-configuration cost varies depending on the condition of existing classroom.
The indicative capital cost for providing additional modular accommodation for each additional special class is estimated at approximately €500,000.
