Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which special needs school places at primary and second level are available throughout Kildare north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56251/23]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, 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.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education has been substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. Further progress has been made in Budget 2024 where an additional €113m has been provided which will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs and in 2024 a further 744 teachers, and 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, earlier this year, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two special schools for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools. Just last week a further four new special schools were announced for the 2024/25 school year which will bring the number of special schools nationwide to 134.
Along with the two new special schools, 386 new special classes – 252 at primary and 134 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.
Of these 11 are in Kildare, 7 at primary and 4 at post-primary level. This brings to 115 the number of special classes in County Kildare, 85 at primary level and 30 at post-primary level.
The attached document provides a breakdown of primary and post-primary schools with special classes within the Kildare school planning area for the 2023/24 school year. Planning for special classes and places in Kildare and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October of last year, my department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
My department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
Primary School Special Classes 2023/24 Kildare
|
School Name |
Address |
Class Type |
|
St David's NS |
Killashee |
Autism |
|
Straffan N S |
Straffan |
Autism |
|
Holy Child NS |
Naas |
Autism |
|
St Patricks BNS |
Clane |
Autism |
|
Scoil Naisiunta Bhride |
Clane |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride |
Sallins Road |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride |
Sallins Road |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride |
Sallins Road |
Autism |
|
St Catherine of Sienna NS |
The Curragh |
Autism |
|
Presentation Girls Primary School |
Maynooth |
Autism Early Intervention |
|
Clochar Coca Naofa N S |
Kilcock |
Autism |
|
Rathangan B N S |
Rathangan |
Autism |
|
St Josephs NS |
Kilcock |
Autism |
|
St Josephs NS |
Kilcock |
Autism |
|
Maynooth B N S |
Maynooth |
Autism |
|
Maynooth B N S |
Maynooth |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride N S |
Rathangan |
Autism |
|
S N Clocha Rince |
Moyvalley |
Autism |
|
S N Clocha Rince |
Moyvalley |
Autism |
|
S N Coill Dubh |
Naas |
Autism |
|
S N Coill Dubh |
Naas |
Autism |
|
S N Naomh Connlaedh Mxd |
Carbury |
Autism Early Intervention |
|
S N Naomh Connlaedh Mxd |
Carbury |
Autism |
|
Scoil an Linbh Iosa |
Prosperous |
Autism |
|
Scoil an Linbh Iosa |
Prosperous |
Autism |
|
Scoil an Linbh Iosa |
Prosperous |
Autism |
|
S N An Baile Nua |
Enfield |
Autism |
|
S N An Baile Nua |
Enfield |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
Scoil Mhuire |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
Scoil Mhuire |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
San Carlo Junior Ns |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
San Carlo Senior N S |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
North Kildare Educate Together Sch |
Celbridge |
Autism |
|
North Kildare Educate Together Sch |
Celbridge |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Educate Together NS |
Celbridge Rd |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Educate Together NS |
Celbridge Rd |
Autism |
|
Gaelscoil Ruairí |
Maigh Nuad |
Autism |
|
St. Patrick's N.S. C of I |
Moorfield |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhríde |
Kill |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhríde |
Kill |
Autism |
|
S N Aine Naofa |
Straffan |
Autism |
|
St Conleths And Marys N S |
Newbridge |
Autism |
|
St Conleths And Marys N S |
Newbridge |
Autism |
|
St Conleth's Infant School |
Newbridge |
Autism |
Post-primary School Special Classes 2023/24 Kildare
|
School Name |
Address |
Class Type |
|
Pipers Hill College |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Naas Community College |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Naas Community College |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Scoil Mhuire Community School |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Scoil Dara |
Kilcock |
Autism |
|
Confey Community College |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Post Primary School |
Mariavilla |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Post Primary School |
Mariavilla |
Autism |
|
St. Farnan's Post Primary School |
Naas |
Moderate General Learning Disability |
|
St. Farnan's Post Primary School |
Naas |
Autism |
|
St. Farnan's Post Primary School |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Community College |
Mariavilla |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Community College |
Mariavilla |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Community College |
Mariavilla |
Moderate General Learning Disability |
|
Salesian College |
Celbridge |
Autism |
|
Salesian College |
Celbridge |
Autism |
|
St. Conleth's Community College |
Newbridge |
Autism |
|
St. Conleth's Community College |
Newbridge |
Autism |
|
Colaiste Chiarain Community Sch |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
Cross And Passion College |
Kilcullen |
Autism |
|
Cross And Passion College |
Kilcullen |
Autism |
|
St. Paul's Secondary School |
Monasterevin |
Autism |
|
Ardscoil na Trionoide |
Athy |
Autism |
|
Ardscoil na Trionoide |
Athy |
Autism |
|
Athy College |
Athy |
Autism |
|
Athy College |
Athy |
Autism |
|
Colaiste Lorcáin |
Castledermot |
Autism |
|
Colaiste Lorcáin |
Castledermot |
Autism |
|
Kildare Town Community School |
Kildare Town |
Autism |
|
Kildare Town Community School |
Kildare Town |
Autism |
