Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
431. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that due to changes in SET hours deaf, and hard of hearing students are now receiving less support than before; and if she will consider reviewing these guidelines [2513/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided. The number of special education teachers in mainstream schools is at the highest level ever with almost 15,000 teachers allocated across our primary and post primary schools.
Every primary and post primary school receives an allocation of Special Education Teaching (SET) resources to support children and young people with special educational needs. These resources are allocated to schools based on the educational needs profile of each individual school. As outlined in the recently revised SET guidelines, hours allocated must then be used to support the children and young people identified as requiring this additional teaching support, this includes those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The guidelines also outline that schools must use their resources on the basis of those with the greatest level of need get the greatest level of support.
I would like to clarify that there has been no change made or arising from the recently published SET guidelines for schools in relation to the allocation of SET resources.
Where a school has a concern in relation to their level of SET resources, they should engage with their local special educational needs organiser (SENO) and following this may submit an application for a review of their allocation. If the review identifies additional need the resources are allocated by my department to the school immediately. This means that each school is provided with the resources necessary to enrol students with special education needs (including deaf and hard of hearing students) into mainstream classes in line with school's admission policy.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
