Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2024
63. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if changes to the system for requesting primary school supports could be made in order to allow schools to request supports for incoming junior infant pupils with additional needs before the first day of school, in order that those necessary supports are there immediately for the child. [27451/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the deputy for the question.
I want to take this opportunity to outline that as part of the review of Special Education Teaching allocation process, my department has introduced a number of initiatives to address the specific matter raised.
The moving of the allocation process to an annual basis for 2024/25 school year removes the time lag where school profiles were only amended on a 2/3 year cycle. The change to an annual cycle makes it more responsive for schools in terms of supporting incoming infant pupils.
As part of the 2024/25 allocation process my department is working with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and streamlined the review process for SET hours.
As part of this streamlining of reviews there was a much reduced administrative burden on schools and the reviews were conducted in a short timeframe between March and May so that schools would know their full allocation to support the children arriving to junior infants in September.
For new and developing schools, the process was streamlined even further and schools in this category who submitted a review were advised of their revised allocation within a couple of weeks.
Where schools have additional identified need in their school, they received the resources they need for this and these recent SET reviews demonstrate this.
Additional resources have been provided to schools in cases where the NCSE have identified that this is required. 220 reviews were received and of the 158 schools who proceeded to a full review, 85% have received additional resources, with over 1,200 additional hours being allocated to these schools. All Reviews have been completed and finalised and all schools were advised by the NCSE of their revised allocation before the end of the school year so that they could plan accordingly for the commencement of the 2024/25 school.
Similarly the NCSE have revised and streamlined the SNA review process and this allows schools to apply for additional SNA support where required ahead of the commencement of the new school year. This again supports schools by having resources available ahead of the of arrival of junior infants.
The department, along with stakeholders, are cognisant that the model needs to continue to evolve so that the Special Education Teacher allocations process takes into account new or improved data sources and other changes within the school system including incoming junior infants.
