Some Major Changes To Special Needs Support Have Been Announced

Education Minister Richard Bruton has announced a new model for allocating special need education resources to schools, that will come into effect by next September. The Minister made the welcome announcement yesterday at Dublin's Marino College while speaking at the launch of the new resource allocation model. Mr. Bruton has promised an additional nine hundred teachers to support the new system and said that the extra resources will not require children to be assessed in order to guarantee more staff. He stated:

"Up to one thousand schools will receive extra resources. The new model gives teachers flexibility and is a better way to allocate resources. It will allow for a whole school approach and earlier intervention. Schools will be able to get their allocation earlier in the year and the new model will give schools certainty for the future."

Minister Bruton said the changes will end the inequality that exists as a result of the current system, whereby many parents have been unable to access the required diagnostic assessments for their children - either because of financial constraints or lengthy waiting times:

"Schools will be supported in implementing this new model. They will have less administration and children will get resources sooner."

Teachers organisations and special needs groups have welcomed the move, which will come into effect for primary and secondary school students at the start of the next school year. Let us know your own experiences with accessing special needs assistance for your child in the Facebook comments.