This circular covers the General Allocation Scheme which was introduced in 2005 to try to speed up allocation of resources for High Incidence Special Needs (see below), in primary schools.
"High Incidence" covers:
 ·    pupils who are eligible for learning-support teaching;
In determining eligibility for learning-support teaching, priority should be given to pupils whose achievement is at or below the 10th percentile on standardised tests of reading or mathematics.
·    pupils with learning difficulties, including pupils with mild speech and language difficulties, pupils with mild social or emotional difficulties and pupils with mild co-ordination or attention control difficulties associated with identified conditions such as dyspraxia, ADD, ADHD;  

PPT 01/05  (beginning of the 05/06 school year)
This circular announced the setting up of the NCSE.  It also introduced the idea of SENOs and listed what they would be doing.  It was sent to second level schools.

SP.ED 08/02  (beginning of the 02/03 school year)
This circular gives details on the role of the resource teacher.
It also states the resource provision available for different categories of special needs.

SP.ED 07/02
Deals with Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).  The most useful part of this circular is Appendix 1 which lists the duties of an  SNA

NCSE Circulars

Since January 2005 the NCSE has sent four circulars to schools regarding provision of resources.  The first two were sent early in 2005 and the others were sent in March 2006,  The content can be accessed below. There are appendices with some of these circulars which are not included on this site.  They may be seen on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie

See
NCSE 01/05 (Primary)
NCSE01/06 (Primary)
NCSE02/05 (Second Level))
NCSE02/06 (Second level)